Box Score Five members of the team score in double figures, led by freshman Myles Burns with 19
NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team dropped a 91-86 decision in overtime to Middle Georgia State University in The Den Sunday evening.
The teams traded three-pointers for the game's opening points, with Ethan Turner knocking down one of his three long-distance makes for the game. The opening minutes were close, but a 12-4 run by the Wolf Pack (6-4, 2-2 SSAC) opened up a double-digit lead for the home team as they held a 23-12 advantage halfway through the opening period.
The Pack stretched their lead to as many as 16 points, heading into the halftime break with a 46-31 advantage after the team shot 63.3% in the half.
Loyola held the double-figure advantage for the beginning of the second half, but the Knights (7-2, 2-2 SSAC) crawled back, cutting their deficit to single digits by the first media timeout.
With five minutes remaining in the second half the Pack held an eight-point lead, but Middle Georgia opened up a 12-2 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes at 76-74. Myles Burns responded with a slam dunk to tie the game at 76-all, and the teams headed to overtime.
The Wolf Pack took the lead early in the extra period and held it until just under three minutes remained, but the Knights scored seven unanswered points to go ahead 86-81, a lead they would not relinquish.
The Wolf Pack will take to the road for their final game before the holiday break, traveling to Mobile, Ala. to take on Spring Hill College Wednesday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Stacy Hollowell
"Tonight was a tough one. We have to be able to finish through contact and play through in-game adversity. I thought we defended well in the first half but were too complacent to start the second. Middle Georgia got their heads up early in the second half with four made threes and it was enough for them to get rolling."
Pack Facts
The Wolf Pack out-rebounded a Middle Georgia State team that entered today's game ranked 14th in the NAIA in rebounds per game, 54 to 36.
Myles Burns led the team in scoring today with 19, and now averages 15.9 per contest.
Both Zach Wrightsil (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Terry Smith Jr. (14 points, 11 rebounds) had double-doubles today.
Cameron Dumas dished out a career-best seven assists against the Knights.
Sophomore Josh Leaney grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.
You can keep up with the Pack this season by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
