BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lex Therien scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but Loyola University Maryland could not overcome a late Lehigh run in a 68-54 loss Monday night at Stabler Arena.

Therien led the Greyhounds (12-18) with an efficient 9-of-13 shooting performance, while falling one rebound shy of a double-double. The graduate post kickstarted a 9-3 Loyola run in the third quarter, scoring seven of nine points, as Loyola cut their deficit down to five points late in the third quarter.

Both teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter, but the Mountain Hawks used a 8-2 run early in the fourth quarter to build a double-digit lead, as Loyola could not overcome the deficit. 

Amandine Amorich finished with seven points and six assists on the night, while Koi Sims and Whitley Watkins each had six points each. 

Lehigh (16-13) built its early lead with a hot shooting first quarter, shooting 60 percent in the opening period. Gracyn Lovette led Lehigh with 19 points and eight assists. Belle Bramer added 16 points for the Mountain Hawks.

Despite the early deficit, the Greyhounds battled back in the second quarter, as they trailed by just six points entering the half.

The Greyhounds outrebounded the Mountain Hawks 32-24, won the points in the paint battle 34-32, and scored more bench points, 19-11, in the loss. 

Lehigh will face the winner of top-seeded Navy and eighth seeded Boston on Thursday evening.