LINCOLN, Neb. – Led by a game-high 24 points from
Ali Sabet, the Loras College men's basketball team earned an 89-76 conference road victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon.
Sabet, who shot 8-for-13 from the floor, including 6-for-10 from deep, scored 14 of his points in the first half alone.
Myles Barry finished the night with a career-high 22 points, knocking down a career-best six threes, while also leading the Purple and Gold with three offensive rebounds.
Tyler Bass closed out the game with a double-double, tallying 17 points and 11 rebounds. The junior out of Washington, Ill., who celebrated his birthday today with the victory, was 7-for-10 from the floor, while also going a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
Jackson Molstead also scored in double figures for the Duhawks with 15 points in 34 minutes of action.
Loras (6-1 overall, 2-1 American Rivers Conference) continued to win the rebound battle this season, pulling in 33 to NWU's 26. Both teams shot plus-50 percent from the floor, as Loras knocked down 51.8 percent (29-for-56 FG) of its shots compared to Nebraska Wesleyan's 50 percent (30-for-60 FG).
The Prairie Wolves (5-2, 1-2) got the game going with a layup from Connor Brown on the team's first possession, but Loras answered with a three from Molstead, who has knocked down three or more in three-straight games. The Duhawks managed to get out to its largest lead of the first half with a nine point advantage at 23-14 with 11:12 to play, but a 22-15 run over the next 10 minutes brought the Prairie Wolves within two (38-36). Loras closed out the half with a 5-0 run to hold a seven point advantage at the break.
Sabet got things going for Loras on the team's first possession of the second half, knocking down a three to go up 10. Nebraska Wesleyan battled back to regain the lead (69-68) off a free throw from Amun-Ra Collins at 7:52, but a quick 13-0 run fueled by three-straight threes from Barry put Loras ahead 81-69 with 3:44 to play. In all, the Duhawks went on a 21-9 run over the final frame to secure its second A-R-C win of the season.
Next up, Loras returns home for the first time since Nov. 29 to host the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Tip is set for 7 p.m.