Jordan Grant scored seven of his team leading 19 points in overtime to help Archbishop Spalding defeat a determined Loyola squad, 69-65, in Anne Arundel County on Wednesday night in a Baltimore Catholic League/MIAA A Conference basketball barn burner.
The Cavaliers (4-3, 5-3) trailed 31-26 at the half, but they held the Dons (1-5, 2-5) to just three third quarter points to take a 38-34 lead after three, before Loyola’s Matt Dunn torched the nets in the fourth quarter with 10 points to bring the Dons back to life.
Loyola’s Dan Vigus, who led all scorers with 20 points, hit a clutch bucket to tie the game at 53-53 in regulation, but the Cavs made eight free throws in OT to gain the hard fought win.
Spalding coach Derrick Lewis said that his team continues to play up and down in their games, and he needs a leader that will help make his team more consistent.
“Jordan (Grant) is a sophomore, and he stepped up for us tonight.” Lewis also talked about the play of Earl Potts, who left the floor at Mount St. Joseph Tuesday night with what was thought to be a concussion. Potts scored 18 points against the Dons, with all but five coming after intermission.
“We’re a different team without Earl. He had a solid effort tonight.
“It’s a tough league. Every night is a tough game. I’m glad we got out of here with this one.”
Vigus and Dunn accounted for 10 of Loyola’s twelve points in overtime, but five different Cavaliers scored for Lewis in the extra period which was accentuated by a Greg Brown dunk.
Loyola was trailing by nine with four minutes to go in regulation when Mitch Cross, Jordan Floyd, Dunn and Vigus all stepped up to send the game to OT.
Archbishop Spalding 69, Loyola 65, OT
LOY 18 13 3 19 — 12 — 65
AS 16 10 12 15 — 16 — 69
LOY: Cross 12, Dunn 15, Floyd 8, Janoskie 4, Vigus 20, Bradley 4, McManus 2.
AS: Brown 12, Potts 18, Grey 2, Dalce 2, Grant 19, Jefferson 13, Massimini 3. Cross 12, Dunn 15, Floyd 8, Janoskie 4, Vigus 20, Bradley 4, McManus 2.
