Box Score Shooting 65% from the field in the second half, the Loyola offense came alive to secure the road win
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Grabbing their first lead of the game with two and a half minutes left to play, the Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team climbed back in it and came out with a big road win at Bethel 87-83 Thursday night at Crisp Arena.
The Wildcats (11-4, 5-2 SSAC) opened up the game with an 8-1 advantage on the Wolf Pack (9-5, 4-3 SSAC) before the freshman trio of Myles Burns, Cameron Dumas and Zach Wrightsil drew it even at 8-all. That would be the last tie of the half however as the home team began to pull away, stepping out in front by 17 just over midway through the period. Loyola chipped away at the deficit as the half neared its end, as Myles Burns, Josh Leany and Zach Wrightsil combined for 12 points in the final three minutes. The Pack would enter the locker room at halftime down five, 48-43.
The two teams traded scores coming out to begin the second period as Loyola's offense began to match Bethel's. As the back-and-forth scoring continued, the Wolf Pack defense eventually planted their feet, with the home team's final field goal of the game coming with 6:27 left on the clock.
A pair of free throws from Burns and two three-pointers from Tre'Von Jasmine drew the game even at 78 with 3:40 left to play. After a block on the defensive end from Benjamin Fields, who saw his first action tonight since rejoining the team, Trey LaForge lifted a hook over the Bethel defense to put the Wolf Pack on top by two. Solid defense from the Pack would help maintain their lead for the remainder of the contest as Loyola would hold on for the 87-83 victory.
The Wolf Pack will face another conference opponent on the road this weekend, as they travel to Blue Mountain College for a Saturday, January 12 matchup at 4 p.m.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Stacy Hollowell
"Tonight we showed tremendous resolve against a talented, tough, well-coached Bethel team. The game got away from us early, we were too loose with the ball and had unforced turnovers that turned into points in the paint for Bethel. We had some guys in early foul trouble but ended up coming through with a great team win. We got crucial baskets down the stretch from Tre'Von Jasmine and Trey LaForge, and Myles Burns came through with three big free throws to seal the game."
Pack Facts
After shooting 65.2% from the field in the second half, the Wolf Pack finished at 55.6% for the game, their fifth time this year shooting over 50%.
Loyola has now defeated Bethel in five consecutive matchups.
The Wolf Pack entered tonight's game ranked fourth in the country in steals per game at 10.7, and added 14 tonight.
Five different players recorded two or more steals, led by Cameron Dumas with three.
Zach Wrightsil led the Wolf Pack in scoring yet again with 22 points, and now averages 19.1 per game.
The freshman also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double on the year.
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.
