Loyola is Unable to Overcome Slow Start at Florida

By: Ethan Hennessy

Gainesville Florida

The Loyola Greyhound’s opened their 2023-24 campaign by facing the University of Florida for the first time in program history. Loyola had trouble turning the ball over early. The Greyhounds recorded four turnovers on their first seven possessions. After spotting the Gators a 19-2 lead Loyola showed some fight going on a 13-8 run of their own to cut the lead to 27-15. Loyola was surrendering almost every attempt at going for an offensive rebound instead running back on defense to try to prevent Florida transition scores. Coach Hardy said after the game “I was proud of the way the guys fought back”.

Florida found themselves also shaking some of the offseason rust off. After jumping out to the early lead. Todd Golden’s squad struggled to convert in the first half from the line (59%) and suffered their own turnover woes (8). Despite this Florida still took a 42-30 lead into halftime after David Brown beat the buzzer on a corner three for Loyola.

Florida extended their lead in the second half. They looked like the more physical team. D’Angelo Stines was a bright spot for the Loyola offense. He scored 13 points. Stines cut the Florida lead to seventeen on back to back three pointers at the 9:43 mark. Milos Ilic fouled out with 2:35 remaining in the ballgame.

Despite a lot not going the Greyhound’s way Golden Dike showed improvement from the free throw line. The career 37% free throw shooter hit six of eight from the line in a road SEC environment. Coach Hardy said on Golden “I’m incredibly proud of him, he works on it”. Dike himself said he has been working on his technique and the mental aspect with the coaching staff. In the end Florida pulled out the win 93-73. Dike led the team with 16 points and six rebounds. Tyson Commander had 15 points and D’Angelo Stines has 13 points. Florida coach Todd Golden praised Loyola after the game saying “They are hard to guard. They have high major size on the front court”.

Up next for Loyola they travel to Providence Rhode Island to face the Brown Bears on Saturday. For Florida they take on Virginia in Charlotte.