WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Santi Aldama scored a career-high 33 points plus pulled down 12 rebounds as ninth-seeded Loyola (Md.) held off fourth-seeded Army 67-63 in the semifinals of the Patriot League tournament on Wednesday.
The Greyhounds advance to the Patriot championship game fir the first time.
Aldama shot 13 for 15 from the floor, including 5 of 6 on 3-pointers. Cam Spencer had 16 points and seven rebounds for Loyola (6-10).
Aldama opened the game with a 3, the Greyhounds never trailed and built a 42-27 halftime lead.
Army cut the lead down to two pointes twice in the final 1:31 but Aldama answered each time. Once with a layup at the 24-second mark. After Army closed to within 65-63 on a Josh Caldwell basket, Aldama threw down a dunk with seven seconds left to ice Loyola’s win.
Jalen Rucker scored a season-high 21 points and had six rebounds for the Black Knights (12-9). Caldwell scored a career-high 21 points.
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