NEW ORLEANS - Stillman College's bid to knock off the defending NAIA national champions fell short Saturday afternoon, 93-81, at No. 22 Loyola University.

The Tigers rallied from a 45-31 halftime deficit to out-score Loyola, 50-48, in the second half. While allowing Loyola to shoot 58.6% in the first half, Stillman held the Wolfpack to 39% from the floor in the second half and made 51.5% of its baskets.

Jamar Jackson's 3-pointer with six minutes to play in the game pulled Stillman within six points, 72-66, but Loyola pushed its lead back to 10 points, 76-66, with 4:24 to play. The Tigers got no closer than eight points the rest of the way. Led by Devin Merriweather's six points, Stillman shot 6-of-9 down the stretch and held Loyola to 1-of-4 from the floor. However, the Wolfpack made 15-of-16 free throws in the final five minutes and 28-of-31 in the second half to secure the win.

Loyola had 37 free throw attempts in the game, compared to Stillman's 11.

With the loss, the Tigers (10-8, 6-4) finish the first half of Southern States Athletic Conference play in a three-way tie for third place with Life University (13-4, 6-4) and University of Mobile (11-6, 6-4). Loyola (15-2, 10-0) and Faulkner University (15-3, 7-3) sit in the top two spots.

Kahlil Johnson scored his jersey number with 24 points on 62.5% shooting, including four 3-pointers. He also had seven rebounds.  Jackson followed with 17 points, also hitting four 3-pointers.

Derrick Finklea flirted with a triple-double, securing nine points, nine rebounds and seven assists. He also had two blocks and two steals.

Playing in his second game of the season, Merriweather finished with 12 points off the bench and added four assists.

Loyola was led by Michael Harden's 35 points on 66.7% shooting. Milan Mejia scored 19, Zach Muller scored 18 and Jalen Galloway added 12 points.

The 93 points allowed are the most Stillman has allowed in a Southern States Athletic Conference loss since a 105-104 loss at then No. 19 Bethel University in February 2019.

Stillman will begin its second half of SSAC play on Thursday, Jan. 19 when it hosts William Carey University in Birthright Alumni Hall at 7:30 p.m. It will be Stillman College Faculty & Staff Recognition Night and Student Organizations Night. A special $5 student rate will be provided for any middle school, high school and college students (with college ID). Children 12-under are free.