NICEVILLE, FLA. – Guard Kenneth Jones’ layup with seven seconds left led Loyola Maryland to a 65-64 victory past ULM in the consolation round of the Emerald Coast Classic Saturday afternoon at Raider Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College.
Loyola enjoyed a 58-47 lead with 5:19 left before ULM made seven straight shots, grabbing a 62-60 lead with 1:17 left after a basket by Thomas Howell.
A three-point basket by David Brown III allowed Loyola to regain the lead at 63-62 with 59 seconds left. Howell answered back with a jumper with :36 remaining to give ULM its final lead at 64-63 before the heroics from Jones.
After struggling from the floor in the first half by shooting 36 percent, ULM hit a sizzling 63 percent in the second frame which was instrumental in the comeback.
Forward Victor Bafutto led ULM with a game-high 20 points, including 16 points in the first half. He also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds as the Warhawks won the rebounding battle, 32-27.
Howell finished with 12 points, while guard Savion Gallion added 11 points and Jamari Blackmon 10 with five assists.
Sophomore guard Chris Kuzemka scored a career-high 12 points, keying a first-half run by Loyola. With the score tied at 8-8, Kuzemka triggered a 14-1 run by the Greyhounds by nailing three three-point baskets.
Brown III and Blackmon were named to the all-tournament team.
Loyola improved its record to 3-4 entering a Wednesday game at Binghamton. ULM, which fell to 2-5, travels to Tulane Monday.
