Box Score The Wolf Pack has improved their record to 10-0 after taking down Blue Mountain Saturday
NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola Wolf Pack matched the best start in school history Saturday, defeating Blue Mountain College 85-77. The win moves Loyola to 10-0 overall, which ties the 1928-29 Loyola team as the best start to a season in school history.
After Saturday's win, the Wolf Pack are now 2-0 in Southern States Athletic Conference play, and they won't play another SSAC opponent until Jan. 2 when they travel to Faulkner. Loyola's next game is set for next Tuesday, Nov. 26, at crosstown rival Xavier.
Loyola built a 10-plus-point lead in the first half only to see Blue Mountain cut the score to 43-37 by halftime. The Wolf Pack's 9-5 lead turned into an 18-11 advantage eight minutes into the contest. Terry Smith Jr. scored six of his 14 points during that early run for the Wolf Pack.
Loyola's largest lead came when Zach Muller's made shot gave it a 32-18 lead with seven minutes left in the first, but the Toppers finished half by putting together a 19-11 run to get back to within striking distance.
Five minutes into the second half, Blue Mountain went on a 13-0 run, topped off by a 3-pointer which gave the Toppers a 59-56 advantage before an and-one tied the game at 59-apiece at the first media timeout.
After the under-12 media timeout, Loyola never trailed, though the visitors would pull within three points with under four minutes to play. Tim Cameron sunk back-to-back triples and two free throws under two minutes to put the Toppers away, giving Loyola the eight-point lead they would hold until the final buzzer.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Stacy Hollowell
"We knew coming in that Blue Moutain had done a nice job playing from behind in games. We got up 12 in the first half and kind of got satisfied with ourselves a little bit. We turned it over and let them back in the game. We knew they would be tough and physical and that it would be a hard-fought game. Last year they beat us by two at their place and we beat them by two at home.
"I feel like we did just enough to squeak out a win. Obviously, our free throw percentage has got to be better, and there are some things we need to look at to clean up defensively. I'm happy to start the conference season 2-0, but we know we've got to be better if we want to make a run at a championship."
Pack Facts
It's been 90 years season Loyola has had a 10-0 men's basketball team. Loyola's 10-0 start to the season matches the 1928-29 team as the best start to a season in school history.
Zach Wrightsil notched his sixth straight game with at least a double-double. He had 16 points and 13 rebounds Saturday, and he's also had two triple-doubles during this stretch.
Myles Burns recorded his first double-double of the season, scoring 13 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Nine of his 11 rebounds were on the offensive end, too.
Tim Cameron followed his 24-point night on Thursday with 25 points Saturday against Blue Mountain for a new career-high.
Cameron added two more steals to his season total, and the nation's leader in steals now has 33 on the season.
Zach Muller led the Wolf Pack with three steals and two blocks Saturday.
Loyola recorded 23 offensive rebounds compared to Blue Mountain's 10, and the Wolf Pack had 17 second-chance points to Blue Mountain's eight.
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