The men’s basketball team came back from a double-digit second-half deficit and dominated in overtime to pick up an 84-75 win in their home opener against Fairfield. The Hounds improved to 2-2, while Fairfield dropped to 1-3.

Andrew Kostecka ‘20 showed out with 31 points, six assists, and five rebounds to lead the Greyhounds’ offense. Kenneth Jones ’22 went 5/5 from the 3-point range on his way to a career-high 19 points. Thirteen of those points came at crucial moments in the second half and overtime.

Golden Dike ’23 had 18 points and eight rebounds in his debut at Reitz Arena. Jaylin Andrews ’22 also had a key seven points down the stretch.

Fairfield held the initial advantage, leading by as much as seven in the first half. Loyola managed to close that gap with a Jones three-pointer with seven minutes to go, and the lead switched back and forth the rest of the half. The two teams headed to the locker rooms knotted at 30.

The Hounds opened the second half with a rough stretch, turning the ball over five times early on. The Stags took advantage of the home team’s mistakes, scoring eight of the first 10 points. Fairfield continued their run, eventually gaining a 46-32 lead with 13:29 to go. 

Loyola caught up quickly, as Jones and Kostecka got into open space and created some easy fast-break points. A Jones three-pointer put the Hounds within one point, 50-49, with 10 minutes to go. 

The two teams pushed back and forth the rest of the second half. Fairfield never pulled away by more than one point though, as Kostecka and company kept responding with big baskets. 

Jones made his fifth and final three-pointer with 2:51 to go to give his team a 66-63 lead, then a fast-break layup by Andrews expanded the lead to five. Fairfield responded with five points of their own, and a three with :42 to go in regulation time tied the game at 68. 

The overtime period was all Hounds. Kostecka made four free throws early to start the scoring, then Cam Spencer ‘23 hit a three to give Loyola a five-point lead. Loyola then made seven of 10 free throws in the final two minutes to pull away. Kostecka ended the game with a fast-break dunk to put an exclamation point on the win. 

Featured Image Courtesy of Loyola Athletics.