Pirates defeated by Loyola in Class B matchup

POLSON —  It was a close one at Polson Saturday night as the Pirates lost by a mere 3 points to the Loyola Sacred Heart Rams 57-54.

It was a constant swap for the lead throughout the game, with Loyola starting off the first quarter with a narrow margin, the Pirates soon passed up the Rams 31-24 at the end of the second quarter.

But Loyola would not be beat, scoring 14 points in the third quarter and finishing up with 19 in the fourth.

The Pirates were ahead  43-38 going into the final quarter.

“We were up at the end of the third quarter and in the end we just didn’t execute.” Pirates Head Coach Brad Pluff  said.

“It is the story of the season” he continued, the Pirates have continued to fall just a bit short, losing their last 3 games by less than 6 points according to Pluff.  

Pluff believes there were a few places where the players could have gained those few extra points. “We have had free throw problems all year,” he said,  “we also had 25 turnovers this last game, you can’t beat one of the better Class B teams like Loyola with that many turnovers.” The Rams are 7-1.

Pluff said that turnovers have been a problem all season with the team averaging over 20 a game and was the final cause for defeat at the end of the fourth. Loyola’s Josh Janssen was fouled in an attempt to the net with 17.3 seconds remaining in regulation, sinking the first of his free throw attempts to give the  visitors a narrow lead 55-54. He missed his second shot and the ball was rebounded by Polson’s Cedric Earthboy. As the Pirates rushed to make it down court to secure that winning point, an intercepted pass and score by Loyola accounts for the final margin. 57-54.

Polson’s Riley Sampson led all scorers with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Cedrick Smith added 14 for the Pirates. Loyola was led by Janssen with 17 points. Forestt Cooper contributed another 11 for the Rams, Danner Linhart finished up with 8 points.