Winning away from Reitz Arena had been a problem for the Loyola men?s basketball team this season ? until they made a few changes.
“We have been doing more defensive drills and getting our practice squad to run the other team?soffense earlier on in the week,” Loyola senior forward Omari Isreal said. “Really pounding [the game plan] into our heads, and defense is how you have to win on the road.”
After losing seven of their first eight away from Evergreen, Loyola?s practice strategy has led to wins in three of its past four road games, pulling it to within 1 1/2 games of first-place Rider in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Greyhounds (12-10, 7-3 MAAC) continue their new game-planning approach tonight at 7 at Gallagher Center against defending-conference champion Niagara (13-6, 7-3), who they have not defeated on the road in 11 years.
“Down the stretch we have really worked on our defensive end,” senior forward Michael Tuck, who?s scored at least 20 points in three of the past four games, said. “Beginning of the season defense is what we were really lacking and its what we have improved in the most.”
During Loyola?s five-game winning streak, which includes home victories over Siena and Marist, Loyola is making 46.7 percent of its shots ? 42.2 percent from beyond the arc ? and converting 78.9 percent of its free throws. The Greyhounds? 75.4 percent free-throw shooting for the season is 16th among 341 Division I teams.
The Greyhounds have been even better defensively during their five-game winning streak. Loyola has held opponents to just 35.2 percent from the field ? a meager 30.6 percent from beyond the arc ? and opponents are making just 58.6 percent of their free throws. Against Niagara, Loyola has to stop senior guard Charron Fisher, whose 26.9 points per game is ranked third nationally.
“Coach [Jimmy] Patsos is talking about how we are getting deeper into the season,” Isreal said, “and how defense is what will win the conference tournament.”
