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Loss Streak Goes to Five

1/19/04
by John C. Thomas
Loyola held the Friars’ leading scorer to a season-low six points and shot 39% from beyond the arc Monday night in Providence, R.I. But nonetheless, the Friars became the third opponent in the past four games to set a new season high for points scored thanks to a school record 17 three-point goals in their 89-59 romp over the Ramblers.

The Friars hit two three pointers in the first 75 seconds of the game, and were off to the races. Loyola’s starting group of Jason Telford, Andre Knox, Tyrelle Blair, Louis Smith, and Paul McMillan-- a makeshift lineup assembled to send a message to hardheaded players-- seemed like deer caught in headlights. In just eight and a half minutes, the Friars built a 26-9 lead while hitting seven of their first nine three pointers.

If it works, don’t fix it. The Friars dropped 10 threes on the Ramblers in the first half, missing only seven attempts. The Friars shot a higher percentage the further they were from the basket in the first half (59% outside the arc, 44% inside the arc), and Providence led 50-28 at the break.

Loyola made token runs in the second half, closing the 22-point halftime lead to 19 points at 57-38 with 15:21 to go, and hitting a few clutch threes to stem the relentless tide. But every time the Ramblers made a brief run, the Friars hit another three or forced a key turnover.

The Ramblers did well to hold Ryan Gomes more than 14 points under his scoring average and breaking his personal streak of 27 consecutive games in double figure scoring, but Gomes helped his team by grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds and five steals.

McMillan led the Ramblers with 16 points, and Tyrelle Blair grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. Majak Kou came off the bench to add 14 points for the Ramblers.

In Loyola’s current five-game losing streak, the average margin of defeat rises to 18.2 points per game. The opposition is now averaging 83.6 points per game during the streak. Meanwhile, presumptive starting point guard Terrance Whiters didn’t even make the trip east.

There were some real positives in the game, however. Loyola shot well from the outside, led by Majak Kou who hit four of his eight three point attempts. Tyrelle Blair played excellent defense in his 22 minutes on the court, notching two blocks and snagging four offensive boards among his team-leading nine rebounds. DaJuan Gouard had five assists against two turnovers and only shot the ball twice. Demetrius Williams came off the bench and made his first field goal in three games. Hopefully, the more disciplined play won’t be forgotten when the spotlight dims in the next contest.

The Loyola losing streak reaches five, as Loyola drops to 6-10. Providence is on their way to a 20-win season and a sure NCAA bid, so the margin of victory isn’t as important as the blowout losses to UIC, Butler, and Wright State in the current streak. But if you sometimes choose to say that a win is a win, you have to say that a loss is a loss.