Box Score Five members of the Pack scored in double digits, including Zach Wrightsil, who nearly had a triple double with 24 points, 10 boards, and eight assists
COCHRAN, Ga. – After a back-and-forth first half at Morris Gym, the Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team took control in the second half against Middle Georgia State to capture an 88-77 victory Saturday afternoon.
Terry Smith Jr. got the Wolf Pack (15-9, 10-7 SSAC) on the scoreboard first with a basket in the paint, but the Knights (14-8, 9-8 SSAC) held control for the beginning part of the first half, going on a 10-0 run to build a double-digit lead at 16-6 with just over five minutes played. The visiting Pack then outscored the Knights 13-3 over the next four minutes to tie the game at 19-apiece at the first media timeout.
In a competitive first half that featured six ties and four lead changes, the Wolf Pack were able to gain as much as a nine-point advantage late in the period, and they would enter halftime with a 40-32 lead.
The second half scoring opened with a free throw from Zach Wrightsil, but Middle Georgia would cut the Loyola lead to three points at 41-38 after six-straight points. That was as close as the home team would get for the rest of the half, however, as the Wolf Pack extended their lead back out to double digits by the 14-minute mark.
The largest lead in the game for either team was 18 points, as Loyola held an 81-63 advantage with just over five minutes to go. The lead proved to be insurmountable, with the Wolf Pack leaving Georgia with an 88-77 victory, splitting the regular season series with the Knights.
Loyola will finish up the five-game road swing with a 7:30 p.m. matchup against the No. 13-ranked William Carey Crusaders at Clinton Gym in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Stacy Hollowell
"I thought our guys played with great effort today and stayed locked in defensively, we rebounded the ball as well as we have all season. Ethan Turner shot it really well for us and his defense was a difference maker. Tensley Aldridge and Tre'Von Jasmine gave us a nice spark off the bench, and Zach played exceptional basketball while Myles was unbelievable for us on the glass. It feels great to get a strong team performance and a hard fought road win in conference."
Pack Facts
After registering his 11th double-double on the year with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Zach Wrightsil entered the top-20 for most points scored in a single season at Loyola with 479 on the year.
The freshman added eight assists on the day, giving him 99 on the year which now ranks ninth all-time for assists in a single season at Loyola.
Myles Burns scored 11 and snagged 17 boards for his 10th double-double on the year, while grabbing one steal to tie him with Corey Gray for most swipes in a single season.
The guard's 17 rebounds ties his career-best and gives him 214 boards for the year, taking Terry Smith Jr.'s spot for the 10th-most in a single season.
Seniors Tre'Von Jasmine and Ethan Turner set marks today as well, with Jasmine hitting a season-high in points (14), rebounds (6) and assists (6), while Turner connected on a career-best six three-pointers.
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.
