Box Score Tre'Von Jasmine ties career high with 21 points, while Benjamin Fields collects third double-double of the year
NEW ORLEANS - In a tight game which saw 10 ties and 11 lead changes, the Loyola men's basketball team was unable to come out on top against No. 13 Dalton State, falling 78-75 tonight in The Den.
The Wolf Pack (9-7, 5-2) struck first with Benjamin Fields making a move in the paint and collecting six of Loyola's first 10 points. Dalton State (14-4, 7-1) tied the game at 14 apiece before Terry Smith Jr. responded with a layup to reclaim the lead. However, the two teams would go back and forth, trading the lead three times before the Roadrunners would take the advantage for a stretch of their own.
Robert White converted two free throws with just under four minutes to give Loyola a 30-29 advantage, a lead they would take into the break. With Nick Parker sinking a deep ball with just under a minute remaining, the score would sit at 41-36 at halftime.
To open the second half of play, Dalton State would draw the game even at 41-all before the two teams traded threes.
At the first media timeout with just under 12 minutes remaining, the visitors sat on a five point lead. Off of an Eric Brown steal, Parker converted a layup at the other end to bring it within one, and would later hit a three to make it 63-63.
With just under four minutes remaining, Ethan Turner was sent to the line after taking a foul on a three, converting two and moving the score to 68-68. Moments later, Tre'Von Jasmine sunk a floater to put Loyola up by two before the two teams traded baskets.
After the two teams responded to each other, battling for the lead in the closing moments, the visitors would take a two point lead with 27 seconds remaining. With the Wolf Pack unable to respond, they would go on to fall to the visiting Roadrunners 75-78.
Three members of the Pack finished with double-digit points, led by the junior Jasmine, who tied his career high at 21 points to go with his seven rebounds. Fields registered his third double-double in the past four games, scoring 14 with 12 rebounds, while Parker added 16 with seven assists.
The visitor's leading scorer on the night was Carnilious Simmons, who scored 20 points with 9 rebounds and five blocks.
The Pack will host another ranked conference opponent in their next contest, taking on No. 24 Faulkner University this Saturday, January 20th, in The Den at 4 p.m.
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