New Orleans, LA | The Thomas University men's basketball team (8-10, 6-5 SSAC) fell to the Wolf Pack of Loyola University (7-11, 6-5 SSAC) on Saturday afternoon.
Upon entering the contest, the Night Hawks hoped to extend their four-game winning streak to five. However, the Wolf Pack would draw first blood by connecting on an opening possession three pointer to signal that they had different plans in mind. Andre Lightbourne would quickly respond by connecting on a pair of three pointers of his own to give the Night Hawks their first lead of the contest, 6-3, just three minutes into play. With each following possession, tensions began to rise. With six minutes remaining in the first half, the Wolf Pack would take the lead, 26-24. However, this advantage would be short lived as Jailin Lee would drain a three pointer on the following possession to regain Thomas' lead, 27-26. Two minutes later though, a pair of free throws would give the Wolf Pack a one point advantage, 30-29. Jailin Lee would then respond yet again, this time with a pair of free throws that would give the Night Hawks a one point lead with three minutes remaining in the first half of play. From there, Deonta Jones would showcase a relentless effort on defense. With twenty seconds remaining, Jones would come away with his fifth steal of the half and finish on the other end to even the score at 38 points a piece. However, the Wolf Pack would drain a three pointer at the buzzer to take a three point advantage, 41-38, heading into the half.
The Wolf Pack would carry this momentum into the second half of play. Jailin Lee would steadily provide the Night Hawks with a sign of life. Four minutes into the second half, Lee would drain a three pointer to cut the deficit to two, 48-50. However, this is the closest the Night Hawks would come to a victory. The Wolf Pack would respond with a 10-0 run to lead the Night Hawks by twelve with fourteen minutes remaining in regulation. Despite many successful trips to the charity stripe, the Night Hawks would not be able to contain the Wolf Pack's ability to shoot the long ball in the second half. The Wolf Pack would outscore the Night Hawks 55-37 in the second half, and secure the victory, 96-75.
Jailin Lee would lead all Night Hawks with 22 points. Tyson Anderson would follow with 15 points, 2 steals, 3 assists, and 8 rebounds. Deonta Jones would lead the Night Hawks in assists (11) and steals (6). Joshua Robertson would add 9 points and 4 rebounds.
NEXT UP: The Night Hawks will be back in action on January, 24th to take on the University of Mobile in a crucial SSAC conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM in the TU Gymnasium.
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by play, and feature stories of your TU Men's Basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksMBKB
