By Mona Austin
The Loyola University (New Orleans) men's basketball team has won a national title for the first time in over 75 years, the first this century. The NAIA champs took the title on Tuesday night in a game against Talladega of Alabama with a final score of 71-56 in a game held in Kansas City.
This was the second time in Loyola's athletic history that the team won a championship. It's first NAIA title was secured in 1945. Loyola athletics was revived in 1991.
Talladega was the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to win the championship since Texas Southern in 1977.
In their first NAIA face off, the Talledega Tonadoes come back from half-time fighting hard. Markel Williams and Darryl Baker sunk a couple of three pointers, making up a 19-point deficit to get to 50-45. The Wolfpack howled back sinking a three and a turn to gain a double-digit lead. From that point forward they controlled the contest.
Finishing off a 21-game winning streak, senior Myles Burns had 17 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 steals for the Wolfpack. He finished as the tournament MVP. Forward Zach Wrightsil was the top scorer in the final game with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
The New Orleans team performed at their peak without their own gym. Last year Hurricane Ida damaged "The Den," their on-campus court. The team practiced where and when they could in various places in the city. They prevailed despite these unique challenges.
Coach Stacy Hollowell has led the team for the past 5 years. “I went into every single game this year, believing that I had the best group on the floor, and that they weren’t going to let us lose,” he said. “You can’t quantify a kids passion, and these kids have passion.”
The coach and team racked up other recognition for their stellar season:
2022 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship All-Tournament Team:
Noah Schulte, Concordia (Neb.)
Cash Williams, William Jessup (Calif.)
Bryce Davis, Arizona Christian
Ryan Batte, Thomas More (Ky.)
Jake O’Neil, College of Idaho
Jalen Galloway, Loyola (La.)
Zach Wrightsil, Loyola (La.)
Myles Burns, Loyola (La.)
Jervay Green, Talladega (Ala.)
Darryl Baker, Talladega (Ala.)
Hustle Award:
Darryl Baker, Talladega (Ala.)
National Championship Coach of the Year:
Stacy Hollowell, Loyola (La.)
Chuck Taylor MVP Award:
Myles Burns, Loyola (La.)
Dr. James Naismith-Emil S. Liston Team Sportsmanship Award:
Ben Limback, Concordia (Neb.)
National Player of the Year:
Zach Wrightsil, Loyola (La.)