The Loyola men’s and women’s basketball teams had a tough night against Xavier University.
Both teams fell short against the city rival on Saturday, Jan. 15.
The Lady Wolfpack lost to the Xavier Golden Nuggets 77-52.
The game started out in the Lady Wolfpack’s favor when the Golden Nuggets were issued an administrative technical foul before the game began. The Lady Wolfpack got a quick two points, but that lead was lost when the Nuggets got the ball and scored a quick three-pointer to put them up 3-2. The Lady Wolfpack trailed for the rest of the game.
Leading the Lady Wolfpack with 24 points and 11 rebounds was mass communication freshman Jasmine Brewer. Behind Brewer with 11 points was junior guard and sociology major Keiva Council, and sophomore forward and general studies/business major Megen Berner with 8 points and 4 rebounds.
Despite the Lady Wolfpack’s effort, the Nuggets extended the lead by 26 points at one point in the game. Leading the Nuggets with 17 points was Jazmone Kelly, followed by teammate Kedra Hall with 13 points.
The men’s team faced Xavier University’s Gold Rush immediately following the women’s game. Missing from the game was the Wolfpack’s leading scorer, management senior Ryan Brock, due to an injury. General studies freshman Robert Lovaglio stepped up and led the Wolfpack with a career high of 29 points.
“I treated this game like any other game rather than a rivalry. I tried to get focused before the game by listening to my music and I thought of ways I could make a positive impact,” said Lovaglio.
Lovaglio helped to bring the Wolfpack back from a 12-point deficit in the second half by scoring 18 points, including buckets that tied the game at 62 and 64. Lovaglio was 11-13 from the field and also grabbed seven rebounds for the Wolfpack.
Also adding to the comeback was biology junior Corey Gray. Gray finished the game with 17 points and was 5-7 from three-point land. Lovaglio tied the game at 64 with a little over a minute left on the clock. The Gold Rush’s Devon Andrew hit a running jump shot in the lane, which gave the Gold Rush the lead with only two seconds left on the clock. The Wolfpack turned the ball over on the inbounds and the Gold Rush came out with the win, 66-64.
“This was a tough loss for us but it’s important for us to keep our composure and keep our heads in the right state of mind, and recognize that this team is not in our conference and we need to get ready for the conference teams we are about to face,” said Lovaglio.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are gearing up to face conference opponent Faulkner University this Thursday, Jan. 20, in the Den.
Michelle Gingras can be reached at
Junior guard Corey Gray drives past a Xavier basketball player during the Saturday loss. Gray scored 17 points in the game and was 5-7 from 3-point range. (Chika John/ Staff photogtapher)
