FAIRFIELD, Conn. –
Jacob Theodosiou had his second big second half in as many days, scoring 21 of his team-high 27 points after the break for Loyola University Maryland, but host Fairfield University held on for an 85-82 victory to close the Mahoney Classic presented by Nivea Men.
Theodosiou finished the event hosted by the Stags averaging 24 points in the two games after totaling 17 of his 21 in the second half of yesterday's win over Stonehill College.
He went 10 of 15 from the field, 7 of 9 in the second half, while also making all seven of his free throws.
Braeden Speed added 16 points, all coming after halftime, while
Sam Springer scored 13 and
Jonas Sirtautas finished with 10.
Fairfield (3-2 overall) scored the last four points of the first half to lead 40-32 at the midpoint, but Loyola (2-3) opened the second on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 42-42 with 17:56 on the clock on a Theodosiou jumper.
The Stags went back with three on their next possession when Deuce Turner hit a three for a trio of his game-high 30 points, but
Troy Cicero Jr. used a Theodosiou assist to hit a three for Loyola at 16:48. Braden Sparks responded with a Fairfield three 15 seconds later to regain the lead, but it would never be more than eight.
Sirtautas' hook shot with 10:11 left in regulation made it a 62-61 Fairfield lead, but the Stags grew it to seven, 69-61, just over two minutes later.
Loyola got back within a point, 79-78, when Speed finished a drive with a layup at 2:07. It was then a two-point Stags advantage when Turner made one of two at the line with 1:43 to play, and Sparks converted a stepback jumper at 1:04 to make it 82-78.
Speed again cut the deficit to a pair with a layup with 47 seconds left, and the Greyhounds forced a turnover with a
Jordan Stiemke steal 11 ticks later. Loyola got an open look on the left side for three, but the shot drew the front of the iron.
Sparks made two free throws after grabbing the rebound for Fairfield, and after Loyola misfired on another three, Declan Wucherpfenning hit one of two after being fouled. Theodosiou got Loyola back within three with his final two points, but the Stags were able to run out the clock.
Theodosiou also had a season-best six assists, and he had three steals to bring his weekend total to eight. Sirtautas blocked three shots for Loyola.
The Greyhounds stay on the road for their next two, playing first on Wednesday, November 19, at Duquesne University.
