Courtesy of LoyolaGreyhounds.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Loyola University Maryland never trailed, and Andre Walker blocked an American University 3-point attempt at the buzzer that would have pushed the Eagles in front Friday night in the teams’ Patriot League opener at Bender Arena. The block sealed the win for the Greyhounds, 68-66.
Walker finished with 18 points and a season-high seven assists, while Jarred Jones scored 20 points and pulled down a game-best 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Cam Gregory added 13 on 5 of 5 shooting.
Delante Jones hit a 3-pointer with 8:13 left in regulation for the Eagles (3-9 overall, 0-1 Patriot League), tying the game at 52-52, the first time the game was knotted since it was scoreless at the start.
Chuck Champion drove to the baseline, scored and was fouled for Loyola (7-5, 1-0), putting the Greyhounds in front on their next possession. He made the ensuing free throw, and Loyola was up 55-52. Delante Jones then committed a turnover, and Jarred Jones scored for the Greyhounds at 7:16.
A Chancellor Barnard layup just over a minute later capped a 7-0 run that saw the Greyhounds regain the lead for good.
With 1:43 remaining in the contest, Barnard made a pair of free throws to put Loyola in front by 10, 66-56, but American quickly cut into that lead. Sa’eed Nelson, who led all players with 22 points, made 2 of 3 free throws on the Eagles’ next two possessions, and it was a seven-point game with 74 ticks left. Jalen Rhea then caught a Nelson pass in the deep right corner and knocked down a three, pulling the Eagles within three.
Jarred Jones made two foul shots with 53 seconds left, putting the Greyhounds up by six, but Nelson hit a three 10 ticks later, and it was a one-possession game with Loyola in front, 68-65.
After a Loyola turnover, Charlie Jones drove the left side of the lane for the Eagles and was fouled, but he made only the back-end of two at the free-throw line, and the Greyhounds were on top, 68-66.
Mark Gasperini blocked a Jarred Jones layup on Loyola’s next possession, but the ball went out of bounds, and the Greyhounds retained possession. Jarred Jones then drew contact in the paint, but his next attempt was off, and Gasperini came away with the rebound, calling a timeout with 7.2 seconds left.
Nelson took the ball out of the break, but Walker did not allow him to have dribble penetration. Instead, the American guard took a three that Walker blocked into the hands of James Fives to seal the win.
Loyola, which led by as many as seven in the first half and took a 33-29 advantage at halftime, shot a season-best 56.8 percent from the field. The Greyhounds outrebounded American 26-23, and Loyola also went 15 of 19 from the free-throw line while the Eagles were just 12 of 19.
The Greyhounds continue Patriot League action on Monday, Jan. 2, when they play their first game of the new calendar year at home. Loyola hosts Lafayette College at 7:30 p.m. in Reitz Arena.
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