Zach Thomas scores 25 points, Bucknell grabs 1st in Patriot

Jan 18, 2018, 02:03 pm

BALTIMORE -- Zach Thomas scored 25 points, made four of Bucknell's eight free throws in the last 50 seconds to hold off Loyola 78-70 and the Bison took over sole possession of first place in the Patriot League Wednesday night.

The win is the fifth straight for Bucknell (12-8, 6-1). The Bison learned late in the game, when Loyola was rallying, that Patriot co-leader Boston U was upset by American University.

Loyola had closed to four points, 72-68 with 25 seconds left in the game. Each team took timeouts and Kimball Mackenzie made four straight free throws and Stephen Brown blocked a shot in those last seconds.

Thomas, the Patriot League's scoring and rebounding leader, picked up his ninth double-double as he also pulled down 12 boards. Nana Fouland scored 14 points for Bucknell, Brown added 12 and Mackenzie 11.

Andre Walker led the Greyhounds (5-13, 3-4) with 21 points, including 10 in the last seven minutes.