BALTIMORE – Colgate University led by nine with less than five minutes to play, but Loyola University Maryland got the margin to one with 68 seconds left only to see the Raiders hold on for an 86-80 Patriot League win Wednesday in Reitz Arena.
Braeden Speed grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a 3-pointer with 2:55 left, pulling the Greyhounds within two, 73-71, but Ben Tweedy responded with a three for Colgate 23 ticks later.
Speed knocked down another three at 2:08, and Loyola was back within a pair before Andrew Alekseyenko converted in the paint at 1:46, stretching the Raiders' advantage back to four.
Sebastien Emenalo was the Greyhounds player this time to collect an offensive board and score, making it 78-76 Colgate with 1:33 to play, and the Greyhounds got a defensive stop on the next Raiders possession.
Speed was fouled going to the rim at 1:08, making the first of two and bringing the margin to one, 78-77.
Both teams would have possessions without scoring over the next 40 seconds, but Alekseyenko made one of two at the line with 27 ticks on the clock, and Colgate led 80-77.
The lead extended to three five with 18 seconds left after a Loyola 3-point attempt went off and Coglate was awarded possession on a jump ball, forcing the Greyhounds to foul Tweedy.
After Tweedy made two foul shots, Speed canned another 3-pointer, bringing the margin to 82-80, but Colgate made four free throws in the final 10 seconds to secure the win.
Speed had his first collegiate double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He scored all of his 20 after halftime.
Emenalo made 7 of 8 shots, 3 of 3 from 3-point range, and finished with a career-best 19 points while grabbing five boards.
Emmett Adair added 13 points, and
Jordan Stiemke had 12 for Loyola.
Six Colgate players scored in double figures, led by Jalen Cox's 17.
Loyola will continue its homestand on Saturday, January 17, with a 1 p.m. game against Boston University.
