Box Score Dalton State 68 Loyola 66 New Orleans – Following Dalton State basketball just might not be for the weak of heart. It was one of those game where the last one to score would win. The Roadrunners were the last to score Saturday and escaped the Crescent City with a 68-66 win over Loyola.
With the game tied at 66 and seven seconds in the game, Nick Parker of Loyola fouled Dalton's
Sean Tate. Big mistake, right. Tate, who went 12-12 at the line against William Carey Friday night, missed both foul shots. Not to worry.
Jordan Bowling got the rebound on the second miss and dished off to
Preston Earle who made the game winning basket with four seconds on the clock.
Loyola's Jalen Gray missed a last second shot and the Roadrunners came away a winner.
The teams had gone back and forth throughout the night with the largest Dalton lead of the first half being five (20-15, 22-17 and 26-21). Loyola went ahead 30-28 with 10 seconds left. Tate hit two free throws to tie the game at the half, 30-30. Bowling hit the first basket of the second half, but the Wolf Pack then jumped out to a 46-39 lead. The Roadrunners went on a streak of their own, taking a 49-48 lead on a three pointer by
Ladaris Green with 8:04 remaining.
Tate scored 19 points (6-10 from the foul line) on the night and added four assists. Green had another double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Bowling also had a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists). Earle had 14 points and four assists.
After a long night Friday night with the triple overtime encounter with William Carey, all of the starters saw a lot of playing time Saturday. In the 40 minute game, Green played 38:40; Bowling, 37:08; Tate, 35:14; Earle, 34:54 and
Anthony Hilliard, 34:11.
Loyola played ten men with only two players going over 30 minutes. Tomeny McCall (33:42) and Robert Lovaglio (30:18). The Wolf Pack led 24 to three in scoring off of the bench. McCall had a game high 29 points.
"We won because we have players who know how to reach back for that extra effort regardless of circumstances," said DS Coach Tony Ingle. "I could not be more proud of a team and their effort following Friday night's (triple overtime) game.
Sean Tate is absolutely amazing. He played 90 minutes in two nights and only had four turnovers collectively. I was extremely proud of how hard our Roadrunners played and kept their composure in some very adverse situations. I'm glad we won in regulation because our guys were playing on guts and adrenalin for the entire game."
Dalton State out rebounded Loyola 36 to 31. The Wolf Pack were a little better at the free throw line 70% (7-10) to 61.90% (13-21). Loyola was also slightly better from three – 45% (9-20) to 42.86% (9-21).
The Roadrunners (7-1 overall, 2-1 SSAC) return to the friendly confines of Mashburn Arena at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center on Saturday, December 2
nd. They will host Hiwassee College at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Loyola (3-4 overall, 1-3 SSAC) will host (15) Xavier Wednesday, December 3
rd, at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Elsewhere Saturday:Bethel 72, Auburn Montgomery 69
Martin Methodist 85, Coastal Georgia 67
Belhaven 77, Middle Georgia State 60
Cumberlands (KY) 70, Indians University SE 61
Life University 100 Carlow (PA) 64
