POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist men's basketball team pulled out its second consecutive second half come-from-behind victory at home on Sunday when it defeated Loyola by a score of 69-64. A close game throughout, junior Adam Kemp (Sherrill, N.Y.) came through with his second straight 20+ point, 10+ rebound game to lead the Red Foxes (7-18, 4-10 MAAC) to victory over the Greyhounds (17-9, 9-5 MAAC).
Kemp finished the contest with team-highs in points (23), rebounds (13) and blocks (2). Sophomore Chavaughn Lewis (Queens, N.Y.) aided his big man with 21 points; his fifth straight game with 21 or more points. Isaiah Morton (Vineland, N.J.) in 40 minutes of action filled up the box score with nine points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The game began with little rhythm as frequent fouls and turnovers plagued both teams.
Loyola was the first team to have a break through offensively as the Greyhounds notched baskets on three straight possessions to turn an 8-8 game into a 15-8 contest by 10:36.
The Red Foxes quickly responded with a 9-1 run over the next 3:33 to take at 17-16 lead. Morton capped the run with a three-pointer off of an assist from Lewis.
The game stayed close throughout the remainder of the first half, outside of a five-point lead by Loyola that lasted all of one possession.
Consecutive made baskets by the Red Foxes in the final 33 seconds made it a 27-26 contest at the halftime break.
Loyola continued to hold a slight lead coming out of the locker room in the second half until an Eric Truog (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) layup at 15:29 gave Marist back the lead at 35-34. The Red Foxes extended their lead further on the next possession as Morton picked Loyola's Anthony Winbush's pocket and hit a wide-open Jay Bowie (Tampa, Fla.) for an uncontested three-pointer.
Following a 6-0 run by the Greyhounds to make its 40-38 game, the Red Foxes fired back with a 7-0 run of their own to make the score 45-40 at 10:58. This turning point would mark the final lead change of the game.
Down the stretch over the final 10, the Red Foxes kept their composure and played their style of basketball. Their composure was on display with calm demeanors at the foul line (they hit 80 percent, 12-15), as well as with their ball control, as they only had two turnovers.
On the strength of 31 combined points between Kemp (19) and Lewis (12) in the second half, Marist held on to defeat the second-place Loyola Greyhounds 69-64.
For the game, Marist outshot Loyola 45.7 (21-46) percent to 44.4 (24-54) percent from the field and 67.6 (25-37) percent to 46.2 (12-26) from the foul line. The three-point shot played little role in the outcome as Loyola shot 44.4 (4-9) and Marist 16.7 (2-12).
This was the Red Foxes' second straight win over a 2012 NCAA Tournament team, following Thursday's thrilling overtime victory over Iona.
The Red Foxes will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 15 when they host Niagara at McCann Arena. Tip-off for the game, the second of a women's/men's TV doubleheader, is slated for 8 p.m. The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
