Box Score
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Belhaven men's basketball team couldn't get back on track Saturday afternoon falling at Loyola University 88-75 in a Southern States Athletic Conference matchup with the Wolfpack. The Blazers stayed within striking distance in the first half, but similar to Thursday's game at William Carey, the second half proved to be their undoing.

Loyola (12-9, 6-5 SSAC) scored the first four points of the game and led 4-0 after a triple by Mason Ibert with just over three minutes gone by in the first half. Belhaven's defense kept the game close in the opening minutes of the first half until the offense broke through for two points nearly four minutes into the game. Senior Jordan Butts dropped in two free throws to make it a 4-2 contest with 16:07 on the first half clock.

Belhaven (9-14, 5-6 SSAC) would enjoy the lead on two occasions in Saturday's game. The first came when sophomore Datodrick Pinkston banked in a layup that inched the Blazers ahead 10-9 with 11:59 to play until the break. Loyola scored the next three points to grab a 12-10 edge only to relinquish it to Belhaven when junior Luke Rogers buried a triple with 10:22 showing on the first half clock.

Unfortunately, the lead didn't last long as the Wolfpack clawed back in front on a field goal from Kyle Simmons that found the mark from behind the arc. Loyola didn't look back and maintained the lead the rest of the way. The Wolfpack went up 37-30 at halftime and led by as many as 19 points in the second half on their way to the 88-75 win.

A bright spot for Belhaven on Saturday was Butts who cracked the 20 point plateau for the second time this week with a team high 21 points. Butts scored 26 on Thursday at William Carey. In addition to his point total, Butts grabbed three rebounds, dished out four assists, and came up with two steals. Butts is now averaging 17.5 points per game and has scored 20 or more points nine times this season.

Rogers followed Butts on the stat sheet with 13 points while junior Curt Hall and Pinskton ended the game with 10 points each. Hall just missed a double double with nine rebounds. Junior Chris Cofield led the Blazers in assists with five. As a team, Belhaven fired in 29 of 68 shots from the field (42.6%).

Loyola had four players in double figures led by Robert Lovaglio with a game high 24 points. Daniel Kuhl added 19 points followed by McCall Tomeny with 15 points and Cameron Hill with 11 points. Tomeny pulled down a team high eight boards and as a team the Wolfpack out-rebounded the Blazers 38-35. Loyola buried 47.5% percent of their shot attempts from the field (28-59).

Belhaven will look to get back on track Thursday night when the team returns home to battle Faulkner University in another SSAC matchup. The Blazers hope the friendly confines of Rugg Arena will help snap the four game losing skid. Belhaven is 6-5 at home this season. Thursday's tip-off is slated for 7:30 PM.