DALTON, Ga. – The Loyola University New Orleans men's basketball program kept its NAIA-leading winning streak alive on Thursday, taking down Dalton State, 73-65, in both teams' Southern States Athletic Conference opener. The win moves the Wolf Pack to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in league play, extending their winning streak to 25 straight games that dates back to last January. 
 

Zach Muller and Jalen Galloway got the scoring started for the Wolf Pack, but Dalton State was still able to grab a 9-6 lead through the first five minutes of the game. Alex Hammond scored twice to keep pace with the Roadrunners, 14-13, but the hosts were able to extend the score out to eight points, 21-13, at the halfway point of the first half. Milan Mejia scored twice, one from beyond the arc, then Galloway added a couple of made field goals to cut the Dalton lead to 25-22 with six and a half minutes to play. 
 

Andrew Stagni and Muller flipped the lead in Loyola's favor, 25-25, and Galloway added six points down the stretch to help give Loyola a 38-32 lead at the break. Hammond made a 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds of the half, too, as the Pack ended the first 20 minutes on a 9-0 run. 
 

After Loyola extended its lead to 10 in the opening minute of the second half and 12 points through the first five minutes, the Roadrunners scored 10 straight to cut the deficit to 49-47 by the 11-minute mark. The Wolf Pack tried to weather the storm by getting an old-fashioned 3-point play from Hammond, however, Dalton State was able to tie the game, 54-54, with seven-plus minutes left. 
 

Galloway put the Pack back on top with a 3-pointer and a free throw, 58-54, then another 3 by Milan made it a 61-56 advantage for Loyola with four minutes to play. Galloway added back-to-back scores after that, as the Wolf Pack outscored the Roadrunners 12-7 down the stretch to close out the win. 

Pack Facts

• Milan Mejia's previous career high in rebounds was four. He finished the game with a career-high 10 boards, recording his first-ever double-double with 15 points and 10 boards. 

• Mejia also led the team with two blocks and two steals. As a team, Loyola swatted away five shots. All five blocks came from players 6-3 or shorter. 

• Three players grabbed three steals for the Pack, including Zach Muller and Michael Harden. Muller also led the team in assists with three. 

• Jalen Galloway led all players with 27 points, his second-highest scoring output of the season, on 11-of-20 shooting with 10 rebounds. It's his third double-double of the season in just four games. 

• Alex Hammond, who put up 17 points on Monday in an exhibition against Southern Miss, was the third player in double figures with 13 points. 

• Dalton State was held to 37.5 percent shooting from the floor, the lowest field goal percentage for any Wolf Pack opponent this season. 

You can keep up with the Pack by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.