PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Men's Basketball team overcame a late second-half deficit to hang on for a 63-60 victory over Loyola (La.) University Thursday night in the Curry Christian Life Center.
The win for the RedHawks (3-14, 2-4 SSAC) was the second this season over a previously undefeated conference foe. The RedHawks also handed Dalton State (Ga.) College its first conference blemish of the season back on Dec. 16.
In a game that was sluggish at times, the RedHawks made the plays down the stretch that had eluded them in their last outing to preserve the lead and ultimately the victory.
Trailing 53-49 with less than six minutes left in the ballgame, the RedHawks used one final spurt to seize control of the contest. JJ Jones connected on two free throws and then Will Smith swished home a 3-pointer with 4:02 left in the ballgame to give the RedHawks a one-point lead.
The RedHawks pushed the lead to four on a pair of occasions and even had a chance to potentially seal the game, but Jones leaner with just over a minute kept the Wolf Pack (9-6, 5-1 SSAC) within striking distance at 59-56.
The visitors converted a leaner of their own with 38 seconds to play to pull within one and put the pressure back on the RedHawks. But Connor Peach converted two crucial free throws to push the lead back to three at 61-58.
Loyola converted once more, but a broken play on the ensuing inbound pass saw the RedHawks with a wide open layup that Jones converted to pull ahead, 63-60.
Loyola used multiple timeouts to draw up a play, but did not even register a shot in the final seconds as the RedHawks held on for the win.
Four RedHawks finished in double-figures in the victory, led by Smith with 15 points. Jones added 12 points to go along with a game-high nine rebounds. Keenan Warren added 11 points and five assists and Jemeereo Spain added 10 points off the bench.
Terry Smith, Jr. finished with 17 points and Nick Parker added 13 for the Wolf Pack in the loss.
The win was the third in the last four home games for the RedHawks, who will play five more contests inside the CLC this season.
The next contest comes on Saturday when the RedHawks host University of Mobile (Ala.). Tipoff in Saturday's contest is set for 4 p.m.
