Big third quarter is the difference as Greyhounds rally past the Dons, 43-39

Looking to snap a three game slide, the Gilman Greyhounds staggered out of the gate on Tuesday night against Loyola and the Dons took advantage of the sluggish start to grab an early lead, but Ryan Ripken caught fire in the third quarter to lead his team to a 43-39 come-from-behind win over the Dons in Roland Park.

The victory was just what the doctor ordered for Gilman, which was short-handed while dropping a pair of games in Altoona. Pa. last weekend and was routed at Annapolis on Monday.

Ripken drained four deep threes against Loyola and scored 14 of his game high 20 points in the third period when the Greyhounds erupted for 25 points.  The offensive exlposion gave coach Owen Daly’s squad a five point third quarter lead, reversing a nine point deficit at the half.

“We struggled in the first half, then in the second we really picked up the energy and we locked up defensively and got the offense going,” said Ripke, a 6-6 junior.

Darius Jennings chipped in with seven third quarter markers for Gilman.

“It was 14-23 at half-time, and we played pretty good defensively, but our offense wasn’t clicking because we didn’t force any turnovers,” said Jennings.  “We like to push the ball and get up and down the floor and in the second half we picked it up, got some turnovers and got the win.”

Jennings and his football teammate Cyrus Jones used their speed and quickness to make some key steals to start the second half, Ripken found his stroke on offense, and the trio made the difference in the game.

Jennings, Jones and Ripken were the only players to score for Gilman on the night. Ripken pulled down eight rebounds, and Jennings had five assists and four steals.

Mitch Cross led Loyola with 14 points and Bennett Bradley added nine.  Loyola’s outside shooting was brilliant in the second quarter as five different players found the inside of the twine, but the Dons only managed six field goals in the second half.

Neither team did much scoring in the final period.  Gilman could only muster four free throws, and Bradley had two field goals for the Dons.

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