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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Loyola Md
Men's Basketball Gets Back on Track with 74-54 Win at Loyola
December 29, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2003
Box Score
BALTIMORE - Ed Persia scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the first half as Princeton took an 18-point halftime lead and the Tigers extended their second-half lead to as many as 29 points on the way to breaking a three-game losing streak with a 74-54 victory over Loyola in front of 1,633 at Reitz Arena Monday night.
Persia scored 10 points in the first seven minutes of the game as the Tigers (5-4) took a 17-point lead before the second media timeout of the first half. Princeton then extended its first-half lead to as many as 21 points and never trailed by fewer than 18 points in the final 12 minutes of the game.
"We got a chance to get a few days off for the holiday after the Lafayette game and then when we came back, we had some good practices where we worked on some things," said Persia, who tied a career high with his 22 points. "I tried to be a little more aggressive offensively and I think others were as well." Judson Wallace added 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Tigers, who committed a season-low six turnovers on the way to handing Loyola (0-9) its 22nd straight loss dating back to Jan. 19 of last season. Princeton also shot 50% from the field (28 for 56) for the game, its fifth game of 50% or better shooting this season, and scored a season-high 74 points on the way to avoiding its first four-game losing streak in nearly 18 years.
"We played well tonight on both ends of the court," said Princeton head coach John Thompson. "Last week was a tough one for us after the loss on Monday, but everyone came back and worked hard after the holiday."
Freshman guard Shane James led Loyola with 15 points, but the Greyhounds shot just 36% from the field and made just six of 22 three-point shots. Loyola outrebounded the Tigers 37-30, including 12-7 on the offensive glass, but committed 17 turnovers.
The Tigers had assists on 18 of their season-high 28 baskets, and all 15 Princeton players that dressed saw action. Princeton also had 10 steals, including a career-best four for junior forward Andre Logan, who also added a career-high seven assists while starting his first game of the season due to an illness to senior Konrad Wysocki.
10 different Princeton players scored in the game. Persia shot 7 for 13 from the field and 5 for 5 from the free-throw line, while Wallace shot 6 for 10 from the field and a perfect 4 for 4 from the line.
The Tigers next play on Sat., Jan. 3, facing eighth-ranked Oklahoma as part of the Touchstone Energy All-College Classic at Oklahoma City's Ford Center. Game time is 5 p.m. EST, and the game will be televised on ESPN2.