JERSEY CITY, N.J. – When you break down film undoubtedly the technical errors will surface. In the wake of Loyola-Chicago’s 54-49 victory over St. Peter’s at Yanitelli Center, a number jumps off the stat sheet, 6 of 19. That is the result for the Peacocks on the foul line. The main points:
1. Numbers wise the pace was slow to moderate as Loyola had 66 possessions to St. Peter’s 62. The efficiencies show the type of afternoon it was:
Loyola-Chicago 82
St. Peter’s 79
Of the Four Factors, St. Peter’s forced Loyola into a 24 percent turnover rate while showing only a 15 percent mark on their end. The difference: the charity stripe. Loyola enjoyed an astounding 76-35 percent edge in free throw rate (FTA divided by FGA). The Ramblers shot 76 percent going 23 of 31 from the line. St. Peter’s as noted was 31.6 percent, lower than their field goal percentage of 38.9 percent. While Loyola’s free throw rate on this afternoon was extremely high, the Ramblers have been very proficient getting to the line as they entered the game with a 32 percent FTR.
2. Poise. St.Peter’s led 17-16 at the half then came out to score on each of their first six possessions. Loyola did not fold. They faced an eleven-point deficit with just under a dozen minutes to play. Knowing there was enough time, they simply ran their offense and chipped away at the deficit, possession by possession. The defense wasn’t too shabby, either, as they limited St. Peter’s to two field goals the final eight minutes of the game.
- 3. Loyola coach Porter Moser was a Rick Majeurs assistant at St. Louis prior to taking this position. You can see some of Majerus’ influence in the offense Loyola runs and the attentive focus on defense. Not to mention a team averaging a deliberate 62 possessions per game entering the contest.
4. Players of note. Ben Averkamp came into the game leading Loyola with 16.2 points per game scoring. The 6-8 senior saw a good deal of defensive attention but did not force the issue. He still wound up with 17 points, largely on 13-of-13 shooting from the line. Sophomore guard Joe Crisman added a dozen points and was very steady in the stretch for the now, 8-3 Ramblers. Desi Washington of St. Peter’s struggled with seven points on 3-of-13 shooting. Stepping up was Yvon Raymond as the senior guard provided a strong 17-point, seven-rebound outing. “I thought he (Raymond) did a really nice job of getting to the rim,” St. Peter’s coach John Dunne said. “He also did a good job defending.”
Dunne naturally would have liked to get over .500. The Peacocks are now at 5-6. Still, the St. Peter’s mentor is pleased. “We are competing,“ he said following the game. “We just have to learn how to close these close games out. Today we missed free throws and made it too easy for them (Loyola) by putting them on the foul line.” In Dunne’s estimation, these close games are sure to be regular affairs in MAAC play. “With the way the MAAC looks there will be a lot of close games. That’s why we have to do a better job in the stretch.”
