Alonso Faure knocked down a right-side three with 18 seconds left in regulation on Wednesday night, drawing Loyola University Maryland to within two points, but the U.S. Naval Academy made five free throws in the waning seconds to secure a 69-62 Patriot League victory at Reitz Arena.
Faure, who finished with a team-high 15 points, caught a pass from
Garrett Brennan after the latter pulled down an offensive rebound. Faure connected for the three, and Loyola trailed, 64-62.
The Greyhounds attempted to pick up a steal, but they then fouled Navy's Austin Benigni. He made the first of two shots, but his second came long off the left side of the rim.
Donovan Draper was there to grab the offensive board for Navy, and he was fouled, making high free throws to stretch the difference to five.
Navy finished the game 19 of 25 from the free-throw line with Benigni making 13 of 16 amidst his game-best 27 points.
In addition to Faure's 15,
Deon Perry scored 11 in only 17 minutes,
David Brown III added eight, and Brennan had seven.
Loyola controlled a 44-39 advantage on the glass with
Milos Ilic (11) and Brennan (10) both logging career highs.
The Greyhounds will be on the road Sunday, February 25, for a 2 p.m. game at Boston University.
