When the ‘Pack hit three consecutive three-pointers to take a 42-33 lead in the second half, the team looked poised to pull away from Xavier. Then they went ice cold.
For the last several minutes of the second half, Loyola could not buy a field goal and lost 69-60.
The ‘Pack was solid in the first half, playing to a 27-27 tie after Xavier’s Jason Leonard put back an errant shot at the buzzer.
However, the ‘Pack was confined to free throw shooting during the game-ending stretch. Though Loyola converted 15 of its 18 free throws, the lack of field goals down the stretch effectively dashed any hope of victory.
Loyola had three double-digit scorers on the night. Management senior and starting forward Zach Tyson led the team with 14 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
It is this type of performance during conference play that prompted Coach Michael Giorlando to say of Tyson: “Zach understands that the level of intensity for conference games is a lot higher, and he’s playing that way.”
Management junior and guard James Bunn chipped in with 13 points and a game-high four assists for the ‘Pack. Finance junior and guard Daniel Schmidt shrugged off an ankle injury he suffered in the first half to score 10 points, dish out four assists and grab five rebounds.
Xavier also had three players in double-figures led by Jonathan Harper and Jason Leonard who each tallied 17 points. Timothy Green added 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Goldrush.
Loyola’s losing streak is now at six games. Those losses have come by an average of 14 points per game. The ‘Pack dropped to 8-12 overall this season, including a 1-7 conference mark.
While Saturday’s 70-57 loss to William Carey was disappointing, the game showcased the young talent on the Loyola squad. Freshman guard Luke Zumo scored a game-high 20 points, including five 3-pointers. Reserve forward David Curtin, political science freshman, led all players with eight rebounds.
Giorlando spoke highly of his young players, also mentioning the strong play of forward Bear Wurts, general business freshman. The coach said the new wave of talent is “laying a nice foundation for the future.” The ‘Pack remained competitive in the game until the final quarter when turnovers proved to be a factor.
In the five previous losses, Zach Tyson led the team, averaging 15 points per contest. Marketing junior and center James Olivard, who is returning from his semester-long absence while filming “Glory Road,” has contributed strongly off the bench with 8.2 points per game.
The six losses have had one thing in common: turnovers. The team has averaged just over 21 turnovers per game during the losing streak.
“We’re making way too many turnovers.” Giorlando said. “Smarter ball management will allow for more shot opportunities while helping to limit the opposing offense.”
The ‘Pack’s next opponent is Tougaloo College in the Den tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Ryan Saucier can be reached at [email protected].
Chris Liuzza can be reached at [email protected].
