BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Loyola University Maryland outscored host Lehigh University by 18 in the second half, and the Greyhounds came back from a halftime deficit to finish with a 76-60 Patriot League win at Stabler Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Five Greyhounds (8-9 overall, 3-3 Patriot League) scored in double figures –
Veljko Ilic (15),
Milos Ilic (14),
Jacob Theodosiou,
Jordan Stiemke and
Tyson Commander (12 each) – and Loyola outrebounded the Mountain Hawks (6-11, 1-5) by 13.
Loyola led by four with 3:10 to go in the first half, but Lehigh scored eight of the last 10 points in the period to take a 33-31 lead at the break.
Less than three minutes into the second half,
Veljko Ilic scored in the paint to put the Greyhounds in front, 36-35, and Loyola would not relinquish the lead.
A Stiemke jumper with 12:09 on the clock pushed the lead to double digits for the first time, 51-40, although Lehigh would draw back within seven.
Theodosiou had a steal and transition layup at 7:12, and the margin rose to 12, 63-51. But for a 32 second stretch less than two minutes later, Loyola was ahead by 10 or more for the remainder of the game.
The Greyhounds shot a modest 53.3 percent from the field in the second half, but it had five offensive rebounds, but the Mountain Hawks did not grab one amongst their nine total second-half rebounds.
Loyola also had five steals – four by Theodosiou – and forced nine Lehigh turnovers after the break. Stiemke had three of his career-high blocked shots after halftime.
Milos Ilic, Theodosiou and Stiemke combined for just five points in the first half, but the trio had 12, 11 and 10, respectively, in the second.
Veljko Ilic led Loyola with nine rebounds as the Greyhounds had a 35-22 advantage on the boards. Lehigh's 22 rebounds were the second lowest by a Loyola opponent this year (21 at Coppin State), and the Mountain Hawks' two offensive boards are tied for the fewest given up by a Patriot League team this season.
Theodosiou led all players with career highs of five assists and four steals, and
Milos Ilic added four assists. Stiemke blocked a career-best four shots, the most by a Loyola player this season.
Loyola returns to Reitz Arena to start a two-game home set on Wednesday, January 22, for a 7 p.m. game against Lafayette College.
