BALTIMORE –
Jordan Stiemke,
Emmett Adair and
Braeden Speed combined to make four 3-pointers during a 17-4 Loyola University Maryland run midway through the second half that put the Greyhounds in control of an 83-73 Patriot League win over College of the Holy Cross in Reitz Arena.
A Gabe Warren three for Holy Cross (9-18 overall, 4-10 Patriot League) put the Crusaders up eight, 51-43, with 11:59 left in regulation, but Stiemke scored on a hook shot in the paint 18 seconds later.
He came up with a steal on the defensive end on the ensuing possession and knocked down a transition three to get Loyola (11-16, 7-7) within three, 51-48. DeAndre Williams scored for Holy Cross with 10:45 on the clock, but Speed knocked down a three at 10:29 to make it a two-point deficit.
After a Warren basket for the Crusaders, Stiemke knocked down another three at 9:47 to put Loyola in front and Adair converted a step-back jumper at 8:52 for a three-point lead.
Adair finished the 17-4 stretch with a three at 8:13, and Loyola led by five.
Speed led Loyola with 25 points on 9 of 15 shooting and 3 of 6 from 3-point range. He nearly had his second-straight double-double with nine rebounds to go with seven assists.
Adair finished one point behind with 24, making 9 of 15 shots and 6 of 10 from 3-point range. The game was his second in a row with 24 or more points and fourth time in five games. Stiemke added 14 that came with four 3-pointers.
Warren scored a game-best 28 points for Holy Cross.
The Crusaders got back within two on a Tyler Boston bucket with 4:55 on the clock, but Adair answered with another three 17 seconds later.
Boston scored two free throws with 3:06 to play, and the Loyola lead was back to four, 75-71.
Tyson Commander hit two free throws for Loyola, Speed scored in the paint and he then knocked down a three to stretch the lead to 11, 82-71, with 1:30 on the clock.
Loyola shot 61.5 percent from the field in the second half after making just 35.3 percent in taking a 30-27 halftime lead. The Greyhounds were 10 of 15 (66.7 percent) from 3-point range after halftime
The win was the Greyhounds' second in a row and fifth in seven games. They will be back at home on Wednesday, February 18, to host Army West Point at 7 p.m. in Reitz Arena.
