Despite a loss to Nicholls State University on Wednesday, the Loyola men’s basketball team (5-3) is off to its best start since athletics were reinstated in 1991.
“We have done well as a team,” history junior Jon Creel said. “We are going in a good direction. If we keep winning, things will keep happening for us.”
Coach Michael Giorlando said the team’s fast start has been a combination of preparation and a focus on being successful.
Against Nicholls State, Creel cut the Colonel lead to two points with 5:11, but the Wolfpack was unable to tie the game and fell 56-50.
“We just couldn’t take the lead,” Giorlando said. “Our defense kept us in the game.”
The ‘Pack trailed by 15 in the first half before rallying in the second half.
Luke Zumo led Loyola with 14 points, making all four of his 3-pointers.
“This team isn’t into moral victories,” Giorlando said. “It was a very disappointed locker room when the game was over.”
If Loyola keeps winning, it will get its first winning record since the 1998-99 campaign. Since that season, Loyola has won a total of 31 games for an average of just over six wins per year.
In its five victories this year, the ‘Pack has produced four different scoring leaders showing their versatility.
The ‘Pack hosted the Loyola Classic last weekend. The team played three games, winning two and losing one to improve to 5-2 on the season.
On Friday, Loyola played Arkansas Baptist College, which the ‘Pack defeated in the Xavier Classic 13 days earlier.
This time, the Wolfpack was not able to secure a victory and dropped only its second contest this season 79-77 in overtime.
“We let that loss slip away from us,” Creel said. “We should have won that game.”
With the game tied in overtime, Loyola turned the ball over, allowing Arkansas Baptist to score the go-ahead bucket with eight seconds remaining.
Luke Zumo was the high-scorer for the Pack with 21 points. Creel grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the team.
The ‘Pack beat Texas College the next day, pulling away 77-60. Guard James Bunn, management junior, poured in a Loyola season high 27 points and dished out four assists, and forward Zach Tyson, management senior, scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
After a day off, the ‘Pack beat Millsaps College 64-50 in its last home game until Jan. 10. Loyola opened the game on a 20-1 run.
Guard Daniel Schmidt, finance junior, led the ‘Pack with 23 points and six assists. Tyson added 13 points, and Creel had a game high eight rebounds.
Creel said he looks at the seven-game, month-long road trip as a good opportunity for Loyola to play some tough opponents.
“The games against Division I schools Nicholls State and Tulane are going to be good tests,” Creel said. “The road trip is worth it because we get to play Division I competition. We could never get them to play here. It’s a good trade off.”
The ‘Pack plays tonight at 7 p.m. against Tulane across the street at Fogelman Arena.
Ryan Saucier can be reached at [email protected].
