After matching a 7-2 school record at the start of the season and then recently going on a four game winning streak in the conference, the ‘Pack has exceeded expectations.

But right now it’s make or break for the ‘Pack.

After losing their last two matches on the road, the Loyola men’s basketball team has dropped to the middle of the conference with a 4-4 record.

They have yet to beat one of the top five teams.

Now, it’s time for them to choose a side in the standings.

Loyola almost proved they could win against the best during their Jan. 26 game.

After being down eight in the second half, the ‘Pack rallied by 13 points to take a five point lead against Tougaloo College.

But with less than two minutes left in the game the Bulldogs sank two three-pointers that put the game away for them at 63-59.

“I was actually really proud of us in the second half,” said Luke Zumo, psychology senior. “We won the battle on the boards and other than that, the last minute we played really well.”

Loyola has continued to get support from the bench against the Bulldogs.

Darrinton Moncrieffe, management freshman, and Robert Manson, marketing junior, contributed 12 rebounds between them. McArthur Strickland, marketing sophomore, started for Sean Bennett because of illness and led the team with 14 points and five rebounds.

“A lot of the substitutes are getting more comfortable with the different options we have on offense and that’s opened up a lot of opportunities for people to score,” Strickland said.

“We’re disappointed with the end result,” head coach Michael Giorlando said in a press release. “Give Mobile credit – they really made it difficult for us to score. We had some opportunities tonight, we just couldn’t get the ball to go down. Our team gave a great effort and we’ll use it to prepare for Tougaloo on Saturday night.”

Tougaloo ended the 2006-2007 season with the best record in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. This season they’re tied for third with Xavier University.

On Jan. 24, Loyola ended its four game win streak to Mobile, 62-43.

Torry Beaulieu, history junior, led the ‘Pack with 15 points – the only player to reach double digits.

The Loyola bench contributed 12 of the 25 total rebounds for the night.

The Rams hold the number two spot in the GCAC with an 8-1 record.

On Feb. 4 Loyola will travel across town to play Southern University of New Orleans.

The ‘Pack narrowly defeated the Knights (1-7 in GCAC) on Jan. 19 on a last second layup by psychology senior Luke Zumo.

Steve Heath can be reached at [email protected].