LAKE FOREST, Ill. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's basketball team made a pair of stops in the final 14 seconds to preserve a win on opening night over Lake Forest, 84-81. Junior Jake Toman finished with 20 points to lead the Duhawks while junior Demond George tallied 19 points and added eight assists to go along with four steals.

POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE (Link)


SERIES NOTABLES
• First meeting since 1995 … Loras won 74-68 in 1995 and Lake Forest won 89-82 in 1994

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
• After opening on a 7-0 run, the Duhawks allowed Lake Forest back into the game as the Foresters responded with an 18-8 run
• Lake Forest closed the first half on a 10-3 run to take a 43-39 lead into half
• Out of the gates to start the second half, Loras crafted an 18-7 run led by five points each from juniors Ryan DiCanio and Josh Ruggles
• Trailing 47-45, the Duhawks took the lead thanks to a 12-3 run, aided by five Forester turnovers
• Lake Forest had possession with 14 seconds left, trailing by one, and turned the ball over on back-to-back chances

TEAM NOTABLES
• Loras held the lead for 31:04 of the 40 minutes … The largest lead of the night was nine points and came at 13-4
• Second consecutive victory on opening night under Chris Martin
• Loras is 4-1 under Martin when scoring 33 or more baskets
• The Duhawks shot 55.7 percent as a team, .02 off from last season's single game-high
• Loras led for the last 17:17 of the game
 
INDIVIDUAL NOTABLES
• As a sophomore, George scored 19 or more points on five occasions … Wednesday was the second-highest point total for the junior on opening night after scoring 28 versus Elmhurst in 2016
• George has scored 10 or more points in seven consecutive games, dating back to Jan. 25 at Simpson … His eight assists was the most since a 105-100 loss to Ripon on Nov. 26, 2016
• Toman's 20 points on Wednesday was a career-high, breaking his previous best by 15 points
• Cole Navigato, Seth Moeller, Rowan McGowen and Mitch Burger all made their collegiate debuts
• Navigato led all freshman with six points
 
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME - DEMOND GEORGE
• George kept the Duhawks within striking distance in the first half, scoring 14 of his 19 points ... In the second half, George had three of his four steals, including two in the final four minutes

UP NEXT
• Loras returns to the Chicagoland area for a non-conference tilt on Saturday against Concordia Chicago. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m