Bennett, Brock lead Wolfpack over Wesley, 95-80

Posted: November 6, 2009 for Men's Basketball

New Orleans- Loyola’s Sean Bennett and Ryan Brock combined for 57 points in the Wolfpack’s 95-80 victory over Wesley College in The Den on Friday night.

Loyola (2-0)secured the victory with a 15-2 run over the final 5:33. Ryan Brock scored six of his 28 points in the decisive streak. The junior forward converted 8 of 15 from the field and made 10 of 14 from the free throw line.

Wesley got as close as two points in the second half with Jeff Patterson capping a 20-10 streak for the Warriors with a pair of free throws with 9:54 to play to make the score 80-78. Brock sparked the Wolfpack rally with a jumper in the paint and Loyola took control.

Sean Bennett had a game high 29 points, a point shy of matching his career high, on 9 of 16 from the field and 4 of 10 from distance. Nick Tuszynski had a career 18 points and added 13 rebounds for the double double. Torry Beaulieu rounded out the leaders with 10 points and six assists.

For Wesley (1-2), Sandro Norris led with 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting from the field, while adding three steals. Jeff Paterson had 20 points and Condarell Person chipped in 11 for the Warriors. Wesley came into tonight’s contest off a 92-87 upset of NCAA Division I foe Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday.

In the first half, Loyola trailed in the opening minutes as Johnnie Stringer hit a jumper in the paint to give Wesley their largest lead of the game 10-6 with 15:15 to play in the opening stanza.

“Wesley College is an outstanding college basketball team, coming off an upset of a Mississippi Valley. They fought hard for 40 minutes. Our team competed and our defensive play in the second half was the difference. I thought our seniors stepped up and took control. Sean Bennett and Nick Tuszynski had the inside/outside game working tonight. Our focus will shift to Tulane and we look forward to the challenge Monday night,” said Loyola head coach Dr. Michael Giorlando.

Loyola will renew their rivalry with next door neighbor Tulane as the Wolfpack and Green Wave meet in the annual Battle of Freret Street Monday night in Fogelman Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Festivities begin on the Loyola campus with a Pep Rally at 5 p.m. featuring the band SoulHaven. There will also be a caricature artist, button making and an appearance by our own mascot, Havoc. At 6:45 p.m., fans will second line with the St. Ignatius band leading the way to Fogelman Arena for the 7 p.m. tip off.

Loyola students can purchase tickets for the game in the residence halls, Danna Center or University Sports Complex for $5. Tickets include admission to the game, spirit towel, and a Loyola mug. Students on the meal plan can utilize their plan for dinner at the Pep Rally. Those not on the meal plan can pay $5 for dinner.

Alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends, can purchase tickets for $10 by visiting http://alumni.loyno.edu/lutu09. Tickets include admission to the game, spirit towel, Loyola mug, and complimentary food/beverages at the tailgate party. As an added bonus, fans can redeem their ticket stub from the Loyola-Tulane game for free admission for the Wolfpack’s game with Brewton Parker in the The Den on November 14.


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