NCAA
Bucknell 55, Loyola (Maryland) 53
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Senior guard Cameron Ayers, who scored a game-high 22 points, hit a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left to give Bucknell a 55-53 win over host Loyola (Maryland) on Wednesday in a Patriot League game at the Reitz Arena in Baltimore.
Guard Jarred Jones and forward Jordan Latham each had 13 points for Loyola, which stormed back from a 12-point, second-half deficit to take a 42-35 lead.
Bucknell forward Dom Hoffman (10 points, eight rebounds) made a basket with 3:15 left to give the Bison a 52-51 lead. Ayers hit the game-winner after Loyola guard R.J. Williams gave the Greyhounds a 53-52 lead on a basket with 1:13 left.
The Bison (13-13, 8-7 Patriot League) jumped out to a 7-0 lead and took a 28-14 advantage into halftime. Ayers had 11 points at intermission.
Bucknell took a 30-18 lead early in the second half before the Greyhounds jumped on top 34-33 on two free throws by Jones.
Bison guard John Azzinaro, who scored seven of his 12 points in the first half, entered the game averaging just 2.3 points and 11.3 minutes in 23 games off the bench. Ayers entered the game averaging 15.6 points per contest.
The Greyhounds (10-16, 5-10) were coming off an 87-72 loss at home Saturday against Boston University, while Bucknell beat Army 73-61 at home Saturday.
Ayers finished with 19 points when Bucknell won at home over Loyola on Jan. 22.
Loyola returns to action Sunday at Colgate, while the Bison play Sunday at Boston University.
