Sports briefs for the week

Mark Robinson

Jose Perez makes history at Faulkner University Invitational

Freshman Jose Perez recorded the highest finish for a Wolf Pack male golfer in the history of the program at the Arrowhead Country Club.

Making just his second collegiate start, Perez shot a 148 (+6) to end the tournament tied for fifth place overall. In the previous match, he scored a 73, which was also the lowest individual round in program history.

The men’s team finished their season on Monday, Oct. 26 at Martin Methodist. Both the men and the women will return to the green in the spring.

Men’s basketball team ranked sixth SSAC preseason poll

The Loyola University Men’s Basketball team was picked sixth in the 2015-16 Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll as announced by the conference on Friday, Oct. 16.

With 128 points, defending national champion Dalton State, Georgia earned the top spot in the poll, edging out William Carey University for the honor by just two points.

Loyola finished last year with a 14-13 overall record and an 8-10 mark in SSAC action. The Wolf Pack lost some key players from last year’s team but return a talented group including Junior Guard Jalen Gray and SSAC All-Freshman Team member Guard Nick Parker.

Gray appeared in 25 games last season, making 16 starts at the guard position. He ranked fourth on the team with 10.2 points per game on 41% shooting from the floor.

Parker made four starts during his freshman campaign and averaged 7.0 points per game.

Loyola starts the season with two games at home, taking on Webber International on Oct. 30 and Carver Bible on Oct. 31.

Women’s basketball team ranked second in SSAC preseason poll

The Southern States Athletics Conference released the 2015-16 Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll on Oct. 16. The Wolf Pack women were picked second with 133 total points.

Bethel University, 2014-15 SSAC regular-season champion, was picked as the favorite after completing last year with a perfect 18-0 mark in conference play.

The women’s team enters the 2015-16 season after winning its first-ever SSAC Championship Tournament Title last year. Loyola finished the season at 27-4, which marks the highest winning percentage (0.871) in program history.

The Wolf Pack will look to All-SSAC First Team member Junior Forward Meghan Temple to carry the majority of the load after graduating three starters from last year’s squad. Temple started all 31 games last season, ranking second on the team with 11.1 points per game while grabbing a team-best 289 rebounds.

Loyola started the season on Oct. 26 with a scrimmage on the road at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Tennis team took part in the Pensacola Tournament

The Wolf Pack tennis team participated in the Pensacola Tournament hosted by West Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The tournament included both graduated and non-affiliated athletes alongside current student athletes. This will be the only action for the team in 2015, until they take the court on Jan. 29 at the University of New Orleans.