Basketball Game Preview: Jefferson Panthers vs. Loyola-Sacred Heart Rams

The Jefferson Panthers will take on the Loyola-Sacred Heart Rams at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Jefferson comes in on three and Loyola-Sacred Heart on nine.

Jefferson is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Saturday. They skirted past Ennis 41-39. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Panthers have posted against the Mustangs since February 6, 2020.

Jefferson's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Cameron Toney, who went 6-for-11 to rack up 15 points and eight rebounds. That makes it three consecutive games in which Toney has scored at least a third of Jefferson's points. Ryian Eveland was another key player, dropping a double-double with ten points and 13 boards.

Jefferson smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive rebounds in four consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Loyola-Sacred Heart made easy work of Florence-Carlton last Saturday and carried off a 68-43 win. The Rams have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 14 games by 25 points or more this season.

Jefferson's victory bumped their record up to 21-4. As for Loyola-Sacred Heart, their win bumped their record up to 16-2.