Thursday, December 4, 2014

Loyola defeats Gold Rush to gain season split

NEW ORLEANS -- Jalen Gray scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half Wednesday to lead Loyola to a 59-46 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana at The Den.

McCall Tomeny had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Wolf Pack (4-4), which gained a season split with the Gold Rush (8-4).

Anthony Goode scored eight points for Xavier, and Jarvis Thibodeaux and RJ Daniels scored seven apiece. Wesley Pluviose-Philip grabbed a season-high eight rebounds.

Loyola, leading 20-17 at halftime, pulled away by shooting 61.1 percent from the floor in the second half. Gray was 5-of-5 from the floor in the second half, including three 3-pointers.

Gray's 3-pointer gave Loyola a double-digit lead for the final 14:47.

For the game, Loyola outshot Xavier 43.9 to 28.3 percent from the floor. The Gold Rush attempted a season-best 40 free throws but made 20 to shoot a season-low 50 percent. Xavier did not make a 3-pointer for the first time this season.

Xavier's only lead occurred for 58 seconds in the final three minutes of the first half.

Xavier beat Loyola 72-66 in overtime Nov. 11 at Xavier.

The Gold Rush will break for final exams, then visit Mobile at 3 p.m. Dec. 13. The next Gold Rush home game will start at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 against Faulkner.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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