WEST POINT, N.Y. – Loyola University Maryland men's basketball nearly overcame a 17-point halftime deficit on Wednesday night at Army West Point, but a shot at the buzzer to tie the game came up just short, and the Black Knights held on for a 74-72 Patriot League win at Christl Arena.
Braeden Speed shot-faked from three and then hit a jumper with his toe on the line to make it a two-point Loyola deficit with 9.0 seconds to play.
After a Greyhounds' timeout, Army West Point inbounded the ball, and Loyola fouled Jorn Everson. He missed the front-end of one-and-one, and
Milos Ilic grabbed the rebound with 7.2 seconds on the clock.
Speed got to the right corner, but his 18-foot jumper was just short, and Army West Point took the win on its home court.
Loyola (6-8 overall, 1-2 Patriot League) shot 48 percent from the field in the first half, but the Greyhounds yielded 60.6 percent to the Black Knights (7-8, 1-2) who took a 47-30 lead at the break.
Army West Point extended its lead to 18 twice in the first six minutes of the second half, the second time coming on a Josh Scovens layup to make it 59-41 with 14:11 remaining in regulation, but from that point forward, Loyola outscored the Black Knights, 31-15.
Jalen Rucker scored 10 of Army West Point's 15 points over the last 14 minutes as part of his game-high 26.
AJ Allenspach made a step-back in the paint with 2:21 remaining to make it a 74-64 Black Knights' lead, but the points were the last Army West Point would score in the game.
Jordan Stiemke hit a three 12 seconds later to get Loyola within seven, and two
Jacob Theodosiou free throws made it a five-point game at 1:26. Speed went one of two at the line with 43 ticks on the clock, and then Loyola forced two empty possessions by Army West Point.
Speed made his long jumper with 10 seconds left to get Loyola to its closest point, but the Greyhounds could not tie or take the lead.
Four Loyola players scored in double figures, led by Stiemke's 17.
Tyson Commander scored a season0-high 16 points, and Theodosiou added 11. Ilic logged his sixth double-double this year, going 6 of 8 from the field for 12 points while grabbing 10 boards. Speed finished with nine points.
Loyola will be back at home for its next Patriot League game, a 5 p.m. contest against Navy on Saturday, January 11.
