Final StatsANNAPOLIS, Md. – The U.S. Naval Academy made just one field goal in the game's final nine minutes, but the Midshipmen held off a Loyola University Maryland comeback attempt for a 62-59 Patriot League victory Wednesday night in Alumni Hall.
Tim Abruzzo put Navy (14-11 overall, 9-4) up by 17, 51-34, on a layup with 9 minutes, 41 seconds left in regulation, but that was the last field goal the Midshipmen would make until Hassan Abdullah scored with 1:29 on the clock.
During the stretch, Navy made 9-of-16 free throws, but Loyola (13-11, 7-6) rallied to get within two points late. The Greyhounds outscored the Midshipmen 23-8 over a run that covered more than eight minutes. Andre Walker grabbed a rebound off his own miss, scored and made a free throw after being fouled with 37.7 on the clock to trim Navy's lead to 59-57.
Bryce Dulin made two free throws with 30.2 on the clock to push the Midshipmen back up by four, but Walker was fouled on a drive and made both of his foul shots with 25.6 left to make it a two-point game once again.
Abdullah was fouled with 21.1 remaining, and he converted the first of two at the line to make it a three-point Navy lead. Loyola got the rebound after he missed the second, but a Walker three was offline with 11 ticks left.
The Greyhounds regained possession when the rebound went out of bounds, but 3-point attempts by Walker and Chuck Champion did not fall, and Navy clinched the win.
Jarred Jones tallied a game-high 20 points to lead Loyola before fouling out with just over three minutes left. Cam Gregory added 15, and Walker scored 12 for the Greyhounds.
Four Navy players scored in double-figures, led by 12 each from Tim Abruzzo and Edward Alade. Dulin tallied 11, and Abdullah scored 10.
The Greyhounds continue play on the road Saturday, Feb. 11, at 12 noon when they face Boston University in a game that will air nationally on the American Sports Network.