In a season filled with historic milestones, none was more noteworthy than the men’s basketball team becoming conference divisional champions.
In the final game of the regular season, the ‘Pack defeated the University of Mobile 62-55 and was crowned the Southern States Athletic Conference West Champions. The Feb. 25 victory in the Den marked the first time the team had won a conference division championship since basketball was reinstated in 1991.
“Making history is always something you want to be able to do, so we made a mark on this program and we hope that with us establishing this mark, that it will continue for other teams in the future and that they don’t backtrack every year. They should look to be divisional champs year after year after year,” said Cory Gray, guard and biology senior.
The Wolfpack not only made history with its divisional conference championship but also achieved numerous individual milestones throughout the season. Gray broke into the top 15 all-time career scorers in Loyola history. Head coach Michael Giorlando earned his 100th career victory. Robert Lovaglio was honored with various awards for his outstanding performance.
However, the ‘Pack’s road to becoming divisional champions did not come easily. The team sat in third place in divisional standings with only five games left in the regular season, all of which were conference games. Although the ‘Pack had lost to three of the five teams earlier in the year, the team broke its previous winning streak of the season by defeating all five teams.
“We caught fire at the end, and we pulled some upsets,” said Cameron Cates, center and business senior. “Just to go out like this, on top, it’s just a great feeling.”
The team was able to maintain its stability even after the leading scorer, Robert Lovaglio, was benched with an injury for several weeks during January.
“At the beginning of the year, coach had us get this bundle of sticks just as a show of unity: we can bend, but we don’t break. And I think guys really bought into that as the season went along,” said assistant coach Brandon Parham.
The ‘Pack finished the regular season with a record of 19-9 and were 11-7 in conference play. The team will travel to Rome, Ga. as a top seed in the SSAC tournament beginning on Feb. 29.
Garrett Galuszka can be reached at
