The Golden Eagles men’s basketball team defeated the Loyola Chicago Nov. 12 for its first win of the season.
“The game itself was a big game because we needed to get a win and couldn’t start the season 0-2,” said senior guard Jeremiah Samarrippas.
Senior Dennis Ogbe would lead Tech with 13 points and nine rebounds. Samarrippas contributed with 10 points of his own along with a key assist to Ogbe in the final two minutes to stretch the lead and clinch the win. There was also strong play for the Tech bench by JC transfers Ladon Carter and Ty Allen, both finishing with double figures in points. Carter finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Allen added his 11 points going 7-8 from the free throw line in the 32 minutes he picked up off the bench.
“Shirmane (Thomas) and Josiah (Moore) came in the game and picked up pressure on the on the ball and provided late energy to keep us in the game,” said Samarrippas.
The Golden Eagles won the battle on the boards out-rebounding Loyola by double digits. On the offensive glass, Tech was out-rebounded by six but what was pulled down on offense was cashed in for 18 points. Defensively, Tech’s 24 boards limited the opposition to just six second chance points and was almost more than Loyola totaled for the entire game.
Loyola turned the ball over 14 times, eight of which were caused by steals, which led to 10 points for the Golden Eagles.
Though the Golden Eagles did not lead many categories offensively, they did lead in free throw percentage and attempts and also in bench points. Tech’s bench racked up 45 points to counter the performance from the Loyola starters, who put up 64 points in the contest.
The Golden Eagles will travel to Texas for a weekend tournament Nov. 15 and return home Nov. 21 for a four game home stand to close out November.
“The best teams go undefeated at home, so that a team’s goal this year,” said Samarrippas.
