Box Score The Pack erased a 10-point deficit over the last eight minutes, but dropped the ranked matchup by three points
NEW ORLEANS – Despite a comeback effort which tied the game with 48 seconds to play, the No. 16 Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball team fell to No. 25 William Carey 65-62 on Homecoming Saturday night in The Den.
Loyola and William Carey stayed locked in a tight contest in the first half. Loyola's largest lead of seven points came halfway through the first half when the score read 22-15, while William Carey only led by as much as four when it was 6-2 early.
Four Wolf Pack players had at least five points in the first half, while Matt Maturah led the team with eight through the first 20 minutes. Tensley Aldridge scored his five first-half points in the first two minutes, nailing a 3-pointer in the process. Josh Leaney also hit two 3s, as the first one gave Loyola a 12-10 lead and the second one putting the Wolf Pack up 32-27 with 1:30 left in the half.
The two matched point for point down the stretch, and Loyola went into the locker room with a 36-33 advantage.
William Carey jumped on the Wolf Pack after halftime, seizing the lead with a free throw at the 16-minute mark, and growing that lead to double figures, 56-46, with eight minutes to play.
Loyola then surrounded Zach Wrightsil with four shooters, a lineup that would go on a 16-6 run, started by Wrightsil finding Leaney for a three-pointer. Leaney scored 11 points in the final six minutes of the contest, including the game-tying, heavily contested three-pointer from near the top of the arc. A corner trey from Andrew Stagni and three triples from Leaney helped to tie the game at 62-62 with 48 seconds remaining.
Regaining the lead on a tip-in layup, the Crusaders would seal their road victory after forcing a Wolf Pack turnover in the final seconds.
Loyola has a quick turnaround, traveling to Temple Terrace, Fla. on Monday to take on Florida College for a 1 p.m. conference matchup.
Pack Facts
Five three-point makes was the most in a single game for Josh Leaney in his college career. He also tied his career-best with 17 points, adding six boards and two blocks.
Zach Wrightsil contributed in every area of the box score, putting up nine points, nine rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and one block
Matt Maturah scored eight first-half points, knocking down all five of his free throw attempts. He also set a new career-high in rebounds with five, adding two steals as well.
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