Courtesy of LoyolaGreyhounds.com
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – V.J. Beachem scored 21 points, and Bonzie Colson added 19, as the University of Notre Dame defeated Loyola University Maryland, 83-48, on Friday night in the Purcell Pavilion at Joyce Center.
The Fighting Irish (3-0 overall) shot 48.6 percent from the floor, but it was Notre Dame’s defense that spurred the victory. Notre Dame blocked eight shots, altered several more and had 13 steals while holding Loyola (1-3) to 29.6 percent from the field.
After Loyola scored three of the first five points in the second half, Notre Dame went on a 14-2 run that started with a Colson tip-in and included five of Beachem’s points. His jumper at the end of the run put the Fighting Irish up 25, 54-29, with 12:33 left in regulation.
Andrew Kostecka cut the lead back to 20 with five-straight points a layup, transition dunk and free throw, but Beachemn responded to that with a three.
Kostecka was one of four Loyola players to score eight points, as he was joined by Andre Walker, James Fives and Jarred Jones.
Walker had a game-high six assists, and Kostecka led the Greyhounds with five rebounds. Jones had three of Loyola’s seven blocked shots in the game, and Cam Gregory had a pair of steals.
Notre Dame’s 83 points were a season-low as the Fighting Irish entered the contest averaging 90.5 points. In addition to the 40 combined points from Beachem and Colson, Steve Vasturia scored nine, and Matt Farrell added eight. In all, six Notre Dame players scored seven or more points. Martinas Geben led the Fighting Irish with 10 rebounds.
Loyola returns to Retiz Arena where it will host Fairfield University in a matinee on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m.
Leave a Reply