NEW YORK –
Deon Perry scored nine points, and
Chris Kuzemka had a 3-pointer, during a 12-0 Loyola University Maryland run that gave the visiting Greyhounds a 52-45 lead over Columbia University with 9:43 left in regulation, but the Lions responded with a 24-8 run to close the game for a 69-57 non-conference victory.
Kuzemka got Loyola within two by hitting a three after a Perry steal and assist, narrowing the Columbia lead to 45-43 at 10:49, and Perry came up with another steal that led to Kuzemka assisting him for a three 22 seconds later.
Perry's three gave Loyola its first lead since the 16:53 mark in the first half, and he came up with another steal nine seconds later than led to a transition layup on which he was fouled. He converted the traditional 3-point play with a free throw, and Loyola was up three, 48-45, at 10:14.
Columbia (6-2 overall) misfired on a 3-point attempt on its ensuing possession, and Perry grabbed the rebound. On the offensive end, Kuzemka fed Perry for another three, and Loyola's lead was at its largeset point, 52-45, with 9:43 on the clock.
Neither Loyola, nor Columbia scored for over 80 seconds before Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws.
Avery Brown then made two free throws at 7:19, and Loyola's lead was down to a pair.
Jake Tavroff had his first shot attempt in a series blocked by
Alonso Faure, but the ball settled back in Tavroff's hands, and he scored at 6:35, snapping a five-minute stretch without a Columbia field goal. That basket tied the score at 52-52 with 6:35 on the clock.
It took nearly two minutes for either team to score again, and de la Rosa put the Lions in front, 54-52, with two free throws.
Perry connected for three again, this time with 4:31 on the clock, and Loyola went back in front, 55-54, but Columbia scored the next 15 points and Loyola did not add to its total until 21 seconds were left in the game.
Perry scored a team-high 17 points, making 6 of 10 shots and 4 of 7 from 3-point range.
Kuzemka led the scoring in the first half, ending the period with 12 points en route to scoring a season-best 15.
D'Angelo Stines and
Golden Dike each added eight point, and Dike had a game-best 12 rebounds.
The contest wrapped up a four-game road swing for Loyola, and the Greyhounds return to Reitz Arena for a Saturday, December 2, outing at 5 p.m. against Delaware State University.
