In matchup of top-15 teams, Loyola rallies from 9 down to beat XULA

NEW ORLEANS — Tim Cameron scored 16 points Saturday, including the lead-for-good basket with 7:05 remaining, to help Loyola rally for a 69-66 men’s basketball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana in a matchup of city rivals and NAIA top-15 teams.

The Wolf Pack (11-1), ranked eighth, gained a regular-season split with the Gold Rush (10-4), ranked 14th and an overtime winner against Loyola Nov. 26.

Johnell Lane’s 3-pointer at 18:02 of the second half gave XULA its largest lead, 47-38, and capped a 25-8 run that started in the final five minutes of the opening period. But Loyola responded with a decisive 16-6 run to take the lead, then extended its advantage to 63-55 on Cameron’s basket with 3:58 remaining.

“Six missed free throws, 20 turnovers, 11 offensive rebounds given up — those are things you can’t do on the road and expect to win,” XULA head coach Alfred Williams said.

William Loyd and TJ Jones scored 15 points apiece for XULA. Loyd grabbed a season-high-tying 12 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double, and Jones’s points were a career high. Rayshawn Mart scored 12 points, 11 in the first half, and Lane had 11.

Jones had six assists and all five of XULA’s steals.

Cameron was one of five Loyola double-figure scorers. Zach Wrightsil scored 14 points, Terry Smith and Matt Maturah scored 12 apiece, and Myles Burns had 10.

Loyola led 30-22 before XULA rallied to take a 37-36 halftime lead.

XULA’s final game before Christmas will tip off at 5 p.m. Tuesday against Mobile at XULA’s Convocation Center.