Feb. 7, 2008

Box Score

Baltimore, Md. - Senior guard Gerald Brown tied his career high with 33 points and moved into 23rd on Loyola's all-time scoring list leading the Greyhounds to an 81-69 MAAC victory over Saint Peter's Thursday night at Reitz Arena. Loyola's defense collected a season-high eight blocks while holding the Peacocks to just 32.2 percent shooting from the field.

The win improves the Greyhounds to 14-11, 9-4 in the MAAC while Saint Peters drops to 5-18, 2-11 in conference play.

"This was a great win for the program," Loyola fourth-year head coach Jimmy Patsos said after the game. "It was our ninth league win which assures us a winning record in the league. And Gerald Brown really carried us tonight."

Loyola built an early 12-2 lead just 3:10 into the contest as Brown scored eight of the Greyhounds' opening nine points. He started a perfect 3-3 from the floor, hitting a pair of three-pointers and a bank shot down low. With the score 20-14, the Greyhounds went on an 11-2 run behind eight points from Brown to open a 15-point advantage at 31-16 with 5:27 remaining. Saint Peter's scored six straight points on one trip down the floor as Nick Leon his six consecutive free throws, two from a two-shot foul call and four on a pair of bench technical fouls assessed to Loyola. Brown finished the half with 19 points as Loyola led 36-28 at the intermission, allowing just five Peacocks field goals.

After sophomore guard Brett Harvey connected on a three-pointer to open the second-half scoring, Saint Peter's scored five straight to close within six at 39-33 three minutes into the half. But Brown scored nine points and assisted on a dunk by senior forward Omari Isreal to lead a 17-6 Loyola run to make the score 56-39 with 11:54 remaining and the Peacocks would not get closer than 10 the rest of the way.

Brown finished 9-15 from the floor, including four three-pointers, and made 11 free throws for his 33 points. Two days earlier, he scored 30 in a loss at Niagara. Harvey scored 13 points and dished out seven assists and senior forward Michael Tuck added 11 points and eight rebounds. Junior guard Marquis Sullivan scored 10 points off the bench and Isreal recorded a career-high five blocks. Freshman guard Brian Rudolph scored just three points, but grabbed a career-best eight rebounds and handed out seven assists.

"I just decided it was time for me to step up," Brown said of his two 30-plus efforts. "All year I have been playing hurt, but now the team needs me and I'm just trying to put it all on the line for the team. We've been on a roll and it was good to come back home and get that confidence back."

Saint Peter's was led by Leon's 15 points off the bench, including a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line, and 13 points from Darrell Lampley.

The Greyhounds welcome Niagara to Reitz Arena on Sunday for a 4:00 p.m. start, looking to avenge Tuesday's 83-79 loss to the Purple Eagles. The game will be televised on MASN.