The Wolfpack staggered away from losses to Tougaloo last Saturday and to William Carey last Monday. These losses occurred right before the ‘Pack’s remaining final eight games, all of which are conference match-ups.
Four Loyola players in double figures and an overall team score of 68 was not enough to squeak by Tougaloo’s 74.
English writing senior Jonathan Hernandez was the ‘Pack’s front-runner with 14 points. Business sophomore James Bunn had 13 points. History senior Dawson McCall and finance junior Daniel Schmidt scored 11 points each.
Coach Jerry Hernandez said that Tougaloo’s depth was the deciding factor in the game.
“The difference was probably depth. We are only dressing nine guys,” he said.
“Jonathan Hernandez fouled out, and they made their free throws down the stretch. The game was decided in the last 40 seconds, and we just fell short.”
Monday night’s game against William Carey featured a long-range duel between Schmidt, who scored 17 points, including four three-pointers, and the Crusaders’ Jaeson Maravich, who scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers. Maravich was backed by Braxton Robins, who scored 14 points for the Crusaders.
The ‘Pack was only able to dress eight players because of an ankle injury to McCall.
Hernandez led the ‘Pack with 18 points, 11 of which came from the free throw line. Marketing junior James Olivard put up 13 points, and management junior Zach Tyson had 10 points.
But the offensive attack wasn’t enough. The Wolfpack lost 88-73.
“We only dressed eight, but our statistics were right there with both teams,” Hernandez said. “Dawson did not play against William Carey. It really showed up that night. They just kind of wore us down.”
Having already played its remaining eight opponents once this season, the ‘Pack is running the homestretch with a 2-6 record against them.
Loyola has defeated LSU-Shreveport at home and Spring Hill on the road.
The ‘Pack has ten home games listed on this season’s schedule. Five of these last eight games are at home in the Den.
Up next for the ‘Pack will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Den against Xavier.
“We are just trying to go as long and as hard as we can. All we can do is go out and give it our best shot,” Hernandez said. “I’m still convinced that on any given night, we can beat anyone in this conference.”
