EMMITSBURG, Md. – Mount St. Mary's used a 10-0 run midway through the second half Friday night to turn into a three-point lead into 13, and the Mountaineers beat visiting Loyola University Maryland men's basketball, 68-57, in Knott Arena.
Loyola (0-2 overall) trailed by seven, 29-22, at halftime, but the Greyhounds cut their deficit to two on three occasions in the first four minutes of the second half.
Both teams endured a four-minute scoreless stretch before
Gage Howard Jr. grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a tip-in with 11:04 left in regulation, and Loyola trailed by three, 40-37.
Wilguens Junior Exacte converted in the paint for the Mountaineers less than 45 seconds later, kicking off the 10-0 stretch for Mount St. Mary's (1-1) which would see it lead 50-37 with 8:06 on the clock.
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Leo Ricketts three for Loyola with 4:55 on the clock made it a 54-47 Mountaineers lead, and two
Carter Berg-McLean free throws at 2:06 pulled Loyola to within six, 58-52.
Mount St. Mary's would score the next five, however, to hold on for the win.
Ricketts led Loyola in scoring for the second time in as many games, scoring 15 points to go with a career-high four steals.
Sebastien Emenalo scored 13 and had a team-best eight rebounds. Berg-McLean scored nine points to go with six rebounds and five assists.
Redd Thompson Jr. led all players with 17 points for Mount St. Mary's.
The Greyhounds will open their home schedule on Monday, November 9, against Washington College at 7 p.m. in Retiz Arena.
