Loggers lose at home to Loyola, 66-63

After an emotional road victory against Columbia Falls Friday, the Loggers returned to Libby to face Loyola Saturday and fell just short of victory, losing 66-63.

The boys started strong, reeling off 15 points to Loyola’s 10 in the first quarter, but Loyola stormed back with a 24-point second quarter to take a 34-31 lead into the locker room at the half. Loyola added to their lead in the third, outscoring the Loggers 18-13.

Down eight as the final period began, the Loggers turned up the heat, eventually tying the game up at 57. Loyola, however, would not be denied. Hitting clutch shots at the end, the visiting Rams walked off the court with a three-point win, 66-63.

“After the emotional win the night before we didn’t want to have a let-down,” said head coach Josh Bean. “We wanted to come out strong. Loyola is annually a contender in the 6B district. Both teams played a hard, physical game, a back and forth game. We got hurt with some foul trouble in the third and they made an 8-0 run to end the period leading by eight. Once again our kids showed great resiliency by coming back and tying the game at 57 with three minutes left. In the last three minutes we had some costly turnovers and Loyola’s kids rose up and hit some big shots down the stretch. We look forward to playing these guys again in a couple weeks in Missoula. It will be another great game.”