TOWSON, Md. — Loyola University Maryland clawed back from a fourth quarter and overtime deficit deficit and leaned on a career day from
Lex Therien to outlast Towson, 64–63, in overtime on Thursday at SECU Arena.
Towson opened the overtime period fast, opening on a 6-0 run to take a 60-54 lead. Therien responded with a pair of free throws on the following possession, as
Sydney Bass came up with two big steals, for a personal 4-0 run to tie the game at 60-60.
Teams would trade baskets over their next two possessions, as Loyola got a stop on the defensive end before Therien knocked down another pair of free throws for the 64-62 lead.
Towson would go 1-2 from the foul line after a pair of technical free throws to trail by one, but Loyola's defense would hold strong to seal their 64-63 win.
Therien powered the Greyhounds (2–7) with 26 points and 10 rebounds, recording her third straight 20-point double-double. Therien lead the charge down the stretch, as she her clutch shooting from the foul line (10-10) sealed Loyola's win.
Koi Sims added 14 rebounds and eight points while anchoring the interior, helping Loyola dominate the glass with a 50–33 rebounding edge.
Loyola's toughness inside proved decisive. The Greyhounds piled up 34 points in the paint and a massive 23 second-chance points, thanks to 17 offensive rebounds.
After trailing 49–40 early in the fourth, Loyola surged back behind Sims' interior scoring and a putback by
Amandine Amorich, slicing the deficit to five. Therien later knocked down two free throws to pull the Greyhounds within 52–48 before Loyola forced overtime with steady defensive stands and strong shooting from the foul line.
In overtime, Loyola stayed composed. The Greyhounds held Towson to nine points in the period, while forcing three turnovers, and relied on timely stops to secure the road win.
Cristina Garcia finished with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Amorich added 10 points and seven boards for Loyola.
Tilda Sjokvist scored a team-high 16 points for Towson, while India Johnston had 12 points on the day.
Loyola returns to Reitz on Tuesday evening, as they host Morgan State in a non-conference matchup.
