Horizon League Links

Butler
Detroit
Illinois-Chicago
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Wright State
Youngstown State
Horizon Connection

Spirited Loss vs. the Cajuns

12/28/02
by John C. Thomas
Loyola's "Road Trip from Hell" marched ever onward on Saturday in Charlotte, NC, at the Pepsi Challenge. The Ramblers began the game with a pitiful performance that echoed the futility of most of their earlier road performances. But instead of giving up, Loyola rallied to make a game of it against UL-Lafayette in the second half. Ultimately, UL-Lafayette won 88-77.

The Ramblers struggled on interior defense and inside shooting in the first half of the game against the Ragin' Cajuns. Loyola was forced to take shot after shot from the perimeter while UL-Lafayette scored on repeated inside layups, dunks, and easy buckets. Meanwhile, the Ramblers had five of their 12 first half baskets from the perimeter, and David Bailey was only 1-of-10 from the field. The Cajuns led 43-28 at halftime.

After the Cajuns built an early 50-32 lead in the second half, Loyola finally went to work. The Ramblers went on a 17-6 run over the next six minutes, powered mostly by scoring flurries from Corey Minninfield and David Bailey. Loyola trailed 60-55 with just under 11 minutes left, but couldn't sustain the momentum.

It's very hard to come back from a 15-point deficit. Although the Ramblers cut the margin to five points on two occasions, they could never climb back into the game with a sustained push. Lafayette matched Loyola's baskets the rest of the way and pulled out to an insurmountable lead on solid free-throw shooting.

The Ramblers outplayed the Cajuns in every respect in the second half. But working from a 15 point deficit, Loyola was forced to make some desperate moves that made the final score look more comfortable for the winners than it actually was. After five straight games on the road, it looked like some things finally clicked for the Ramblers in the second half.

David Bailey led the Ramblers with 17 points after going 1-for-10 in the first half with three points. DaJuan Gouard continued his excellent play in Charlotte with 11 points, and Terrance Whiters added 10. Paul McMillan, Demetrius Williams, Kevin Clancy, and Corey Minnifield added eight points apiece. Brad Boyd led all scorers with 20 points. Paul McMillan outrebounded all others with 11.

After several games worth of lackluster efforts and pitiful defense, the Ramblers finally put together a good half against the Cajuns. Hopefully, it's something they can build on. The second half today was the best 20 minutes Loyola has played since leaving home after the December 10th game more than 2 ½ weeks ago

Tomorrow is another day, and as baseball fans are fond of mentioning, you can put the past behind you when the sun comes up. If the Ramblers remember how they played against UL-Lafayette in the second half and can sustain that game for 40 minutes against Colorado, a big upset and a turning point is possible.