Box Score Loyola notches its third straight win in a conference showdown against the University of Mobile.
The last time Loyola and Mobile faced off on the hardwood on Jan. 12, the Wolf Pack escaped with a nail-biting 64-62 victory over the Rams on the road.
Now, with the momentum of a two-game winning streak and a four-game homestand to finish off the season, the Wolf Pack came into Thursday's matchup looking to sweep the Rams and improve its win streak to three games.
Nick Parker (JR/Port Allen, La.) poured in 23 points and Jalen Gray (SR/New Orleans, La.) added 17 points of his own in the home team's 72-68 victory over their conference rival on Thursday evening. On the year, Loyola improves to 17-8 and 10-6 in conference play.
Gray struck first from the field for the men's team, driving to the basket through the teeth of Mobile's defense to finish off the reverse layup to put his team up early at 2-0 in the first 17 seconds of the first half.
A trip to the free throw line evened the score for the Rams (2-2) but back-to-back three point opportunities spurred a 9-0 run to put the Wolf Pack on top 11-2 at the 15:52 mark of the opening period.
Mobile eventually narrowed the deficit, cutting the lead to just one after a jumper by Darius Curry brought the score to 27-26 with just 5:08 to go until intermission.
Parker answered back taking the hand-off from Chase Echoldt and knocking down the deep three from the wing to increase the lead to four (30-26) with 5:15 remaining in the first half.
Loyola entered the locker rooms with a 40-31 lead over the visiting Rams. Both teams shot a high percentage from the floor in the first half with the Wolf Pack shooting 16-of-28 (57%) and Mobile shooting 10-of-21 (47.6%).
Parker led the way for his team with 15 points, while Gray chipped in 10 points in the first 20 minutes of play.
Nate Pierre (SR/Folsom, La.) came out of the gates with a quick bucket to open the second half taking the feed from Johnny Griffin Jr. (SR/Chicago, IL.) Pierre followed up the offensive play with a big block at the other end of the floor leading to a transition basket for Griffin Jr. to give the Wolf Pack its largest lead of the contest at 44-31 with 18:13 to play in the ballgame.
The Rams would narrow the deficit to just five points, bringing the score to 60-55 with 7:20 left on the game clock.
Gray responded with a three pointer from deep in the corner to put his team back on top 64-55 with 4:21 to play in the contest.
Mobile would cut the score to three down the stretch but eight-straight points by Parker over the final four minutes of the game sealed the deal for Loyola, giving the home team the 72-68 win.
The Wolf Pack shot 25-of-48 from the floor (52%) and 5-of-12 (41.7%) in Thursday night's victory over the Rams.
Parker recorded 23 points and three assists while Gray added 17 points and three assists and Tre'Von Jasmine (SO/Edgard, La.) chipped in eight points and five rebounds off the bench for Loyola.
The Wolf Pack will look to extend its win streak to four games as they welcome SSAC rival Bethel University to First NBC Court on Feb. 18. Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 4:00 p.m
