Courtesy of LoyolaGreyhounds.com
BALTIMORE – Andrew Kostecka made all five of his shots from the field, including four 3-pointers, to score a career-high 20 points Wednesday night, and Loyola University Maryland downed College of the Holy Cross, 65-62, in Reitz Arena.
The freshman from Clarksburg, Maryland, assisted on a Cam Gregory alley-oop layup and then knocked down a three from the left wing with 5:01 left in regulation, staking the Greyhounds (10-10 overall, 4-5 Patriot League) to an eight-point advantage, 56-48.
Loyola’s lead came during a stretch when Holy Cross (11-11, 5-4) did not score a field goal for more than five minutes. Malachi Alexander, who matched Kostecka for game-high honors with 20 points, made a three for the Crusaders at 6:11, and Holy Cross scored six points off free throws until an Alexander three went down with 67 ticks left on the clock.
Alexander’s second three cut the Loyola advantage to four, 59-55, and a turnover on the offensive end put the ball in the hands of the Crusaders. Clayton Le Sann was fouled and made both free throws, cutting it to a two-point game, the closest it had been since Loyola led 31-29 just 39 seconds into the second half.
Loyola inbounded the ball to Andre Walker, and he was fouled with 28 seconds left, making both foul shots to push the lead back to four.
Patrick Benzen scored six seconds later for the Crusaders, however, and it was a 61-59 Loyola lead. Walker was again fouled in the backcourt, and he again made two at the line with 17 seconds showing. Benzen, who had 11 points for Holy Cross hit a contested layup with nine seconds on the clock, and it was back to a two-point spread.
This time, Loyola was able to burn five seconds off the clock before Jarred Jones was fouled. He made the front end of two, and Holy Cross had possession with the chance to tie.
Walker fouled the Crusaders’ Anthony Thompson before he was able to cross halfcourt and attempt a tying three, sending the Holy Cross senior to the line. He made the first and intentionally missed the second looking for an offensive rebound. The ball did not draw iron, however, and possession went back to Loyola.
James Fives converted one of two at the line for the Greyhounds, and Matt Zignorski’s 75-foot heave went over the backboard as time expired.
Loyola led for almost 36 minutes after taking the lead for good on a Kostecka three with 12:06 to go in the first half. He knocked down a three on the next Greyhounds possession, as well.
The Greyhounds would lead by as many as nine, 42-33, midway through the second half, but neither they nor Holy Cross led by double-digits in the contest.
Jones finished with 14 points and six rebounds for the Greyhounds, while Gregory added 10 points and game-best seven boards. Walker and Fives each had seven points. Matt Staubi led all players with five assists.
Loyola heads back on the road for its next game, travelling to Easton, Pennsylvania, for a Saturday, Jan. 28, game at Lafayette College. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.
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