Box Score Wolf Pack remain unbeaten in conference play, moving to 4-0 in the SSAC
NEW ORLEANS - The Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team hosted Brewton-Parker on Thursday night in the first game of the New Year, defeating their Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) foe 81-59 Thursday night in The Den.
The Wolf Pack (8-5, 4-0) pulled away late to secure the victory over the Barons (2-14, 1-4) behind a career night from senior Benjamin Fields and a defensive effort that held the visitors to just 39.3% shooting for the game.
The first half was closely contested, with neither team holding more than a seven-point lead at any point. The Barons led 22-15 with 9:04 remaining in the half after Brewton-Parker's Jacob Walls hit his first trey of the game, but the Wolf Pack would quickly close the gap. Fields scored on an and-one to cap off an 8-0 Loyola run as the home team took a 23-22 lead with 6:48 left in the first half.
The teams went back-and-forth the remainder of the half, with Loyola increasing its lead to six points before a three-pointer from Michael Volley cut the home team's lead to 34-31 heading into halftime.
In the second half, the Wolf Pack locked down defensively, allowing just 24 points on 9-31 (29.0%) from the floor in the half. The Pack also forced 24 turnovers for Brewton-Parker while only committing 13 themselves.
Offensively, the Pack stepped up in the second half, shooting 19-36 (52.8%) from the field. Brewton-Parker kept the game within reach, with a three-pointer by Walls cutting the Loyola lead to 62-51 with 7:18 left, however, the Pack responded with 11-straight points to increase their lead to 73-51 with 4:07 remaining.
Fields ended the game with a career high of 21 points in 23 minutes to go along with 10 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Terry Smith, Jr. and Tensley Aldridge each finished with 10 points. Nick Parker scored eight points off the bench, while also recording three steals and three assists.
For the Barons, Michael Volley finished near a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Devon White also finished with 17 points.
The Wolf Pack are back in action in The Den on Saturday when they host SSAC opponent Middle Georgia State at 4 p.m
