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Loyola Wins Ugly vs. Wright State

1/05/03
by John C. Thomas
In what might be one of the ugliest games played in Gentile Center history, the Ramblers survived an uninspired Sunday afternoon effort from the Wright State Raiders and prevailed, 67-56. Loyola goes to 2-1 in conference play while the Raiders lost their opening conference contest.

Loyola plodded through the first five minutes of the game scoring only six points against a tenacious Wright State defense. But the Ramblers managed to keep the Raiders scoreless until 5:39 had elapsed from the clock. The Raiders countered with a 10-0 run over the next three minutes and looked to blow Loyola out if only their short-range jumpers would start to go down. But they didn't.

Both teams took a number of point-blank shots that found dozens of ways not to go in, and neither team established any kind of offensive rhythm throughout the game. Seth Doliboa, the conference's leading scorer was held in check in the first half, shooting just 4-for-15 against an impressive Loyola help double team. At halftime the Ramblers had managed to forge a 32-23 lead behind some balanced scoring from seven different home team players.

In the second half, the Raiders didn't change tactics. Seth Doliboa and Vernard Hollins, Wright State's two big scoring players, fired up shot after shot with mixed results. The Loyola defense played reasonably well on Hollins, holding him to 6-of-15 shooting for the game, and left Seth Doliboa to score pretty much at will or ability. But they slammed the door shut on all the other Wright State players. Doliboa and Hollins scored 46 points combined, but the other eight Raiders combined for a total of 10 points.

Meanwhile, Loyola's front court played another great game at home. Paul McMillan and Demetrius Williams combined for 30 points and 28 rebounds while David Bailey added 12 points to the mix. Louis Smith and Kevin Clancy were a combined 4-of-8 from three point land, and Corey Minnifield added some very good defense and seven crucial points.

Seth Doliboa led all scorers with 26 points, but it took him 28 shots from the field and four from the line to do it. Paul McMillan led Loyola with 21 points to go with his game-high 15 boards. David Bailey had 12 points (surpassing Tony Parker and Darius Clemons for fifth place on the all-time Loyola scoring list), and four other Ramblers scored between six and nine points.

Both teams shot under 36% from the field, and there were many fouls besides the 40 that were called that went un-whistled. There was a whole lot of grabbing, elbows, jostling, and players falling to the hardwood in this one. Wright State Coach Ed Schilling never sat down during the game, urging his players forward-- but a lot of their good looks at the hoop didn't fall.

Loyola now goes on the road for ANOTHER killer road trip-to Butler, UW-Green Bay, and Detroit. This might be the most crucial stretch of the season, because coming back empty-handed could have a devastating effect on the confidence of the team. At least one win is absolutely vital, and the most obvious candidate is UW-Green Bay. But based on the way we've played on the road, I wouldn't count on it.