Loyola couldn?t find an answer for Rider forward Jason Thompson and saw a close game turn into a blowout in a 81-67 loss on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Gym in Lawrenceville,
N.J.
The Greyhounds (7-10, 3-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) trailed just 42-39 at the half, but Thompson led the Broncos on a 7-0 run to start the second half to push the lead to 10. Thompson, who was named the conference?s Preseason Player of the Year, finished with 28 points, 17 rebounds and four assists.
Loyola cut the lead to just eight at 51-43 with 14:55 remaining after a Gerald Brown layup, but would get no closer. Brown finished with a team-high 20 points and six rebounds, but fouled out, as did Michael Tuck (10 points) and Omari Isreal (five rebounds, four points).
Rider dominated offensively, shooting 49 percent from the floor and making 23-of-35 free throw attempts. Loyola made 9-of-22 three-pointers, but shot just 40 percent from the floor and committed 20 turnovers.
“We were coming off an emotional win and we had some chances, we just couldn?t finish,” Loyola coach Jimmy Patsos told reporters. “They outworked us in the second half and got some second shots to start it. We were a little unemotional in the second half.”
Loyola vs. Marist
» Tipoff: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
» Where: Reitz Arena
» Radio: 1300 AM
