Thomas helps top-seeded Bucknell hold off Loyola (MD) 83-78

Mar 2, 2018, 02:48 am

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Zach Thomas notched his 14th double-double of the season with 27 points and 11 rebounds and top-seeded Bucknell survived upset-minded No. 8 seed Loyola (MD) 83-78 on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament.

The Bison (23-9) move on to a semifinal matchup against No. 5 seed Boston University. The Terriers (15-15) ousted No. 4 seed Lehigh 88-82.

Kimbal Mackenzie hit four 3-pointers and scored 18 for Bucknell, while Stephen Brown added 16 points, four assists and two steals. Nana Foulland chipped in with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots and the Bison sank 27 of 38 free-throw attempts, compared to a 5-of-12 effort from the Greyhounds (9-22).

Both teams made 15 of 33 shots (45.5 percent) from the floor in the first half, but the Bison buried 7 of 22 from 3-point range while Loyola missed on six of its seven from distance. Thomas had 12 points and eight rebounds to help Bucknell take a 41-33 lead at the half.

Andrew Kostecka buried a 3-pointer with 4:30 elapsed in the second half to pull the Greyhounds within 46-44. Thomas scored five straight to give the Bison some breathing room. Mackenzie sank four free throws and Brown and Thomas each made two in the final 35 seconds to wrap up the win.