Box Score Benjamin Fields (SR/Bernice, La.) logs his fifth double-double on the season
NEW ORLEANS - Powered by a 12-0 run late in the second half, the Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team defeated Bethel University 80-74 on Saturday evening in The Den.
Putting up strong performances in conference games for most of the season, the Wolf Pack (14-9, 10-3) grab their 10th conference victory of the season, as Bethel falls to 14-12 overall and 7-7 in SSAC play.
The Pack were first on the board as Trey LaForge (SO/New Orleans, La.) found Robert White (SR/Los Angeles, Calif.) for a jumper near the left corner, but the Wildcats followed that with eight unanswered points, taking an early 8-2 lead. Loyola quickly responded with a run of their own, with LaForge turning a steal into a layup to tie the game back at eight apiece.
The first few back-and-forth minutes would serve as foreshadowing for the remainder of the game, as the contest featured five ties and 18 lead changes between the two teams.
After falling behind 26-25 with 6:43 left in the first half, the Wolf Pack went on a 12-2 run capped off by two free throws by Chase Eckholdt (SR/Mandeville, La.) to make the score 39-28 in favor of the home team. Loyola would then take a 39-31 lead into halftime, with LaForge leading the team with 9 points on 3-4 from the floor and 3-3 from the line. Benjamin Fields was halfway to a double-double at the break, logging seven points and five boards in the period.
Following the run by the Wolf Pack to end the first half, the Wildcats went on a run of their own, opening up with an 11-1 spurt to retake the lead at 42-40 just three minutes into the period.
The biggest lead for either team over the next 10 minutes was four points, which Bethel last had with 8:35 to go, leading 60-56. However, Loyola went on their second huge run of the game, scoring 12-straight points to take a 68-60 lead with 4:35 remaining following two free throws from Nick Parker (SR/Port Allen, La.).
The Wildcats cut the lead to as little as four points, but the Wolf Pack were able to hold on, as Bethel was forced to foul to stop the clock. The Pack knocked down 10 free throws over the last four minutes of play, while also getting a slam dunk from Terry Smith Jr. (FR/Chicago, Ill.), to seal the 80-74 victory.
Fields finished the game with a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds, good for his fifth double-double of the season. He also blocked away three shots, tied for his career high for blocks in a game.
Nick Parker was second on the team with 16 points, while Tre'Von Jasmine (JR/Edgard, La.) finished with 12. Chase Eckholdt assisted on six baskets while also contributing six points and two steals.
For the Wildcats, Chase Nappier had a team-high 17 points. Javonte Ellis was second on the team with 12 points, Cayden Edmonson scored 11, and Charles Cobb had 10.
The Pack are back in action next Thursday, February 15th when they head to Dalton, Ga. to take on No. 11 Dalton State at 7:30 p.m.
You can keep up with the Pack by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
