In a stunning turn of events, Loyola Maryland pulled off a monumental upset at Reitz Arena, taking down Bucknell 67-62. Despite being ranked lower in the net rankings, the Greyhounds rode the hot hand of Braeden Speed, who poured in 24 points and grabbed 5 rebounds to lead his team to a crucial victory. This outcome is all the more remarkable considering the teams' similar records, with Loyola Maryland improving to 7-14 and Bucknell falling to 6-15.
The first half saw Loyola Maryland take control, with Speed's 12 points helping the Greyhounds build a 31-23 lead at the break. However, Bucknell refused to back down, with Amon Dörries putting on a show of his own, scoring 26 points and hauling in 7 rebounds. The Bison's second-half surge, which included a 10-2 run midway through the period, threatened to upend the Greyhounds' momentum. Nevertheless, Speed and his supporting cast, including Tyson Commander and Emmett Adair, who chipped in with 9 and 8 points respectively, managed to keep their team ahead.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Loyola Maryland winning by 7.8 points, and while the actual margin was narrower, the forecast ultimately proved correct. The Greyhounds' ability to contain Bucknell's offense, aside from Dörries' impressive outing, was a key factor in their success. Achile Spadone's 18 points and 7 rebounds were not enough to overcome the Bison's overall struggles.
As the final buzzer sounded, the significance of this upset became clear. For Loyola Maryland, the win marks a much-needed boost to their resume, albeit a Quadrant 4 victory. The same applies to Bucknell, who suffered a Quadrant 4 loss. Given their current net rankings, with Loyola Maryland at 340 and Bucknell at 335, both teams are likely to face an uphill battle in their pursuit of a tournament berth.
The implications of this result are substantial, as it highlights the competitiveness and unpredictability of college basketball. While neither team is currently in the tournament conversation, Loyola Maryland's upset win demonstrates their potential to cause trouble for higher-ranked opponents. As the season enters its final stretch, the Greyhounds want to build on this momentum, hoping to string together a series of wins that could, against all odds, propel them into the postseason discussion. For now, they can savor the taste of a significant upset, one that will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight of their season.