BALTIMORE –
Bri Rozzi scored 10 of her 13 points in the second half, and
Lex Therien finished one rebound shy of a second-straight double-double, as Loyola University Maryland stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the second half to pull out a 63-57 win over UMBC on Wednesday.
The Greyhounds (2-2) have won back-to-back games for the first time since December, 2019, and they came back from 14 points down for the first time since January 2, 2017. Rozzi and Therien had 13 points apiece, while
Laura Salmerón (12 points, eight rebounds, four assists) and
Charia Roberts (12 points, seven rebounds) also reached double figures for the home side.
The Retrievers (1-2) led 29-21 at halftime, and a 3-pointer by Jatarrikah Settle extended the advantage to 37-23 with 7:20 remaining in the third quarter.
Six different players scored during a 19-3 Loyola run to end the frame, as the Greyhounds ultimately shot 66.7 percent (8 for 12) from the field in the third. Salmerón hit a jumper to tie the score at 40-40 with 1:49 left, and Therien converted inside to give Loyola its first lead in the final minute.
The momentum carried into the fourth, as Rozzi started the quarter with her third 3-pointer of the night and Roberts finished a layup to give the Greyhounds their largest advantage of 54-48 with 4:49 remaining.
UMBC twice made it a one-possession game in the closing minutes, but Loyola hit 10 of 13 free throws in the fourth, including each of its last six attempts, to close out the win. Dixon (6 for 6) and Rozzi (4 for 4) were both perfect from the charity stripe.
Rozzi played all 40 minutes in the victory while matching her career scoring high. She also set a new career best with two blocks early in the contest.
Therien's 13 points were a new season high. She hit 6 of 11 field goal attempts, and six of her nine rebounds came on the offensive end. Loyola ended the night with a 38-27 advantage on the glass overall.
The Greyhounds now hit the road for three-straight games, beginning with a 2 p.m. matchup at Hofstra on Saturday.
