Box Score A career night from Myles Burns is unable to lift the Pack over their fifth ranked opponent faced so far this season
NEW ORLEANS – A showdown with eighth-ranked Stillman College ended in an overtime thriller for the Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team, who were barely edged out in the extra period 110-108 Thursday night in The Den.
The Wolf Pack (7-5, 2-3 SSAC) began the game aggressively, with Ethan Turner opening up the scoring on a long three-pointer. The Pack would extend their lead to double digits at 20-10 just six minutes into the game, forcing Stillman (13-0, 5-0 SSAC) to call timeout. Ethan Turner's third triple of the half extended the home lead to 16 points at 50-34, but the Tigers would close the half on an 11-3 run to cut the Loyola lead to 53-47 at the break.
The home squad controlled the tempo for most of the second half, with the Pack stretching their lead to as many as 15 points as they led 96-81 with just under five minutes left in the half. The Tigers then opened up a 13-0 run, eventually tying the game at 100-all. Ethan Turner missed a potential game-winning three-pointer with time expiring as the game headed to overtime.
The two teams were neck-and-neck in the extra period, with neither side holding more than a four-point lead. Stillman took its first lead of the game on a layup with eight seconds remaining, and they would hold on until the final buzzer sounded.
Up next for the Wolf Pack, they'll host another conference opponent in the University of Mobile this Saturday, January 5 at 4 p.m.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Stacy Hollowell
"We had plenty of opportunities to win the game tonight, but we had crucial turnovers in crucial moments. Stillman did a great job on the boards, obviously Ravion Henry had a fantastic game for them offensively. We knew coming in that DaQuan Forrest was going to shoot it, and he did a great job as well. Tamarco McDuffie found some holes in the zone against us late in tonight's game, and he ended up making some key buckets. The opportunities were there for us against a a top-ranked Stillman team, but we just have to learn how to close out games. It's part of the maturation process and we'll improve as the year goes on."
Pack Facts
The Wolf Pack topped 100 points in a game for the third time this season, and entered today ranked 11th in the NAIA in points per game at 91.9.
This was the fourth ranked, undefeated team to come to The Den this season, with the Pack holding a 3-1 record in such games.
Myles Burns led the way for Loyola tonight, scoring 28 points to go with a career-high 15 rebounds.
The freshman added five steals as well, and now averages 3.08 per contest which leads the NAIA.
Terry Smith Jr. grabbed a season-best 13 boards tonight, adding nine points and a block.
Freshmen Zach Wrightsil (22) and Cameron Dumas (21) were second and third on the team in scoring tonight, while dishing out a combined 15 assists.
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.
