Box Score Loyola got back to its winning ways with a four-point win over Middle Georgia State
COCHRAN, Ga. – The No. 8 Loyola Wolf Pack and Middle Georgia State Knights went back and forth in the second half, as Loyola took a lead with 30 seconds to go and held on for the 78-74 road win.
The win ends a two-game losing streak for the Wolf Pack, and it improves to 12-3 overall and 3-1 in Southern States Athletic Conference play.
Junior Josh Leaney had a career day and it all started with two quick 3-pointers to take a 6-0 lead in the first minute. The two teams stayed within one possession of each other until the Knights took a seven-point lead at the nine-minute mark of the first half. Trailing 42-35 with two minutes until halftime, Loyola cut the MGA lead to four before the two went into the locker room.
The first half saw seven ties and seven lead changes.
The second half featured an even closer contest. There were only four ties in the final 20 minutes, but there were 13 lead changes until the Wolf Pack grabbed the lead for good off made basket by Terry Smith Jr. with 36 seconds remaining.
Prior to Loyola's four-point lead to close out the game, it only led by more than one possession at the 12-minute mark of the second half when Loyola held the 55-51 lead. Three minutes later, Middle Georgia State built its largest lead of the second half, 61-55. When MGA led 63-62 with seven and a half minutes left, the lead would be exchanged nine times down the stretch until Smith's shot. Tim Cameron converted two free throws in the final seconds to ice the game.
Loyola is set to play Stillman College and Mobile in two road contest next Thursday and Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday against Stillman, while the matchup against the Rams is set for 2 p.m.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Stacy Hollowell
"Our first conference road win was hard earned. Middle Georgia shot the ball really well, played tough inside, and gave us some problems. We were able to answer the bell late and got a few crucial stops to pull out the win. We have had a number of injuries lately and guys have stepped up to fill the void. Josh Leaney was big for us and has been coming along nicely."
Pack Facts
Junior Josh Leaney set a new career-best with 13 points Saturday.
Myles Burns recorded 10 points and 13 rebounds to notch his fourth double-double of the season. It's also his third straight game with a double-double, and he matched his season-high for rebounds.
Terry Smith Jr. recorded his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Tim Cameron tied his career-high with seven assists.
All five of Loyola's starters scored in double figures, as Smith (20), Cameron (16), Leaney (13), Burns (10) and Zach Wrightsil (10) all logged solid performances.
