LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell University rallied from 13 down in the first half to create a 28-28 tie at halftime, and the Bison took a 70-67 Patriot League decision against Loyola University Maryland on Saturday night.
Sam Springer's three with 13:07 to go in the first half gave Loyola a 17-4 lead, but Bucknell scraped back and scored the next nine points before a
Jacob Theodosiou three at 9:40 made it a 20-13 Greyhounds lead.
After the Bison tied the game for the first time at 23-23 with 4:27 to go in the half, Theodosiou converted at the rim to put Loyola up a pair, 25-23.
Bucknell tied the game on an Amon Dōrries dunk, and Ruot Bijiek made a three to put the Bison up three, 28-25.
Theodosiou responded with a three for the Greyhounds with 39 seconds left on the clock, and the score was tied 28-28 at the break.
The Bison had a three-point possession to start the second half, but Theodosiou gave Loyola a 32-31 lead with a transition dunk. Bucknell came back to score the next 12 points, building a 42-32 lead with 16:47 on the clock.
Loyola got back within three on a
Troy Cicero Jr. three at 11:38, but Bucknell went back up 11 at 8:58.
Braeden Speed made two free throws at 3:10 in the second half, and Loyola was within a pair, 63-61, at 3:10.
Bucknell again went up by seven, but a
Jordan Stiemke three with a minute to play, and a Speed jumper off a baseline out-of-bounds play pulled Loyola within two, 69-67, with 38 ticks on the clock.
Loyola forced a missed three by the Bison, and the Greyhounds battled for a defensive rebound to retain possession. Speed brought the ball up the floor, but he was called for an offensive foul that led to Bucknell's final free throw and the game's end.
Theodosiou led Loyola with 20 points, Speed added 11, and
Emmett Adair came off the bench to grab a team-high seven rebounds.
Loyola returns to Retiz Arena on Wednesday, January 14, for a 7 p.m. game against Colgate University.
