#16 Roadrunners Move On To Championship Game Of SSAC Tournament

Friday, March 2, 2018

#16 Dalton State used a tenacious defensive effort, holding Loyola (La.) to 32% shooting from the field in a 80-69 victory in the semifinals of the SSAC Tournament at Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery, Ala. on Friday afternoon.

Loyola started off the game with the first bucket, a three from Nick Parker. Dalton State would answer with two baskets to take a 4-3 lead.

With the score 7-6, the Roadrunners would hit their stride and knock off an 11-0 run kick started by a Carnilious Simmons layup to take an 18-6 advantage.

Dalton State would stretch the lead to 14, 28-12, after two Reed Dungan free throws with6:16 remaining. The Roadrunner D would do the rest in the first half, forcing 10 turnovers and holding the Wolf Pack to 20 percent shooting from the field as Dalton State took a 32-18 lead into the break.

The Wolf Pack would jump out quick to start the second half with a 5-0 run to cut the Dalton State lead to nine. The Roadrunners would respond with a 7-1 run and pull the lead out to 15 points, 39-24.

Dalton State would extend the lead further after a 13-4 run mid-way through the half to take a 20-point lead, 52-32, with 10:04 left. The Roadrunners would keep the lead above 15 for a majority of the rest of the half.

Loyola would gain the momentum and make a late run to cut the lead to 13-points with 1:56 left, but they would lose their cool as guard Chase Eckholdt was called for a double-technical after a Robert White foul. In the exchange, Loyola Coach Stacy Hollowell would also get T'd up giving the Roadrunners seven foul shots. They would knock down four to kick the lead back to 17.

In the end, the Roadrunners would hit their shots from the line and run out the clock on their way to an 80-69 victory.

#16 Dalton State improves to (24-7 overall, 14-4 SSAC) with the win, while Loyola (La.) drops to (16-13 overall, 11-6 SSAC) with the loss. First Team All-Conference selection Reed Dungan led the Roadrunners with 24 points, going 12-13 from the charity stripe. All-American Carnilious Simmons had another monster ballgame with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Isaiah Box added 12 points and four assists, while Aaron Burress netted 10 points and six boards.

Loyola (La.) was led by Tre'Von Jasmine and Ethan Turner with 16 points each. Jasmine added 10 rebounds to complete the double-double. Nick Parker had 12 points for the Wolf Pack in the losing effort.

#16 Dalton State advances to the Championship Game of the SSAC Tournament to be played Saturday at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery, Ala. They will play the winner of #1-seed William Carey (Miss.) and #5-seed Bethel (Tenn.). Tip-Off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CST).