The Lourdes University men's basketball team played their hearts out on Thursday afternoon in the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Point Lookout, MO. The Gray Wolves would drop a heartbreaker to the Owls of Oregon Tech 58-49.
It was the first appearance for the Gray Wolves in the NAIA National Tournament which is quite a feat for a second year program. The Gray Wolves would get stuck with a tough draw in the tournament facing the #2 team in the country and former Champion in Oregon Tech.
Lourdes came out with great defensive intensity from the beginning and carried it all the way through the game as they locked down the two best players for the Owls holding them to only 10 points apiece in Kyle Gomez and Bobby Hunter. Those two players were the only ones in double digits for the Owls.
Lourdes would be led in scoring by Senior
John Willhite with 13 points, 11 in the second half.
Marcus Outlaw aka “Beast” would bring his height advantage to the offensive end of the court and score 11 points.
As a team Lourdes shot 44% from the floor but struggled with just 1 of 11 three point field goals. Tech hit 42% from the floor in the game including making 7 of 21 three point attempts. Lourdes struggled from the foul line as they made just 6 of 15 free throws while Oregon Tech finished 5 of 9 all coming in the second half of play.
The game was an exciting one for the local fans as it could be heard over and over again “Who is Lourdes University” and “Where did these guys come from” over and over again from the crowd. It was a home game feel for Oregon Tech as they brought many fans to cheer on the Owls.
The Gray Wolves hung tough time and time again as they battled for each shot. The only problem was that every time it seemed Lourdes would hit a two point basket Oregon Tech responded with a three pointer.
Lourdes has put themselves on the national map after this game and while it might not have been a win in the scorebook it was definitely a win for a new program and for the players and coaches. The Gray Wolves finish the season with an overall record of 17-16.
