Saints Men's Four-Game Winning Streak Snapped by NAU

STAFFORD, TEXAS (Feb. 22, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's basketball team dropped a Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) matchup against North American University (NAU) 86-78 on Thursday. The Saints fall to 13-13 overall and 10-10 in the RRAC. The Stallions jump to 11-16 overall and 10-11 in conference.

Head Coach Chris Dial commented, "This was a really disappointing effort. We never got off of the bus. This will be a test of our 'next play' mentality, which is something we have struggled with all season. We need to get back to the things we were doing to be successful, and quickly."

History

The Saints were 3-0 against the Stallions prior to the game.

Basics

The Stallions shot 50 percent from both the field and three-point range in the first half. NAU's defense also stepped up by limiting the Saints to 18.2 percent shooting from the three-point line. Rob Gil and Olivier Yannis Borgol had eight points apiece in the frame. Both teams were disciplined in fouling as there were a combined six free throws. The Stallions led by 11 points at the break.

The Saints totaled 45 points in the second half, but the halftime deficit was too large to come back from. They shot 41.9 percent of the field and went to the free-throw line 22 times. The Stallions shot over 50 percent from the field again and Caleb Malik had 15 points. NAU finished with 15 points off of turnovers.

Offensive/defensive standouts

Xavier Purnell led the Saints with 17 points. Trey Law grabbed six rebounds. Gil and Kyonte Holder tallied three assists each.

Malik led NAU with 21 points. Damione Thomas had 12 rebounds and added 14 points for a double-double. Jordan Chambers-Harr led the team with seven assists.

Inside the box

OLLU combined for 27-of-69 shooting for 39.1 percent, 5-of-21 from three-point range for 23.8 percent and 19-of-26 from the free-throw line for 73.1 percent. NAU shot 31-of-60 for 51.7 percent, 10-of-25 three pointers for 40 percent and 14-of-16 from the free-throw line for 87.5 percent.

The Saints grabbed 35 rebounds while NAU collected 32. Both teams committed 10 turnovers.  

Up next

The Saints play at Xavier University of Louisiana on Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.