Saint Peter's beats Loyola (Md.) 70-60 to advance

Saint Peter's beats Loyola (Md.) 70-60 to advance

Published Mar. 5, 2011 5:34 p.m. ET

Jeron Belin came off the bench to score 17 points and Ryan Bacon scored 15 as Saint Peter's defeated Loyola (Md.) 70-60 Saturday to advance to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament semifinals.

The Peacocks (18-13) led 31-23 at halftime and by as many as 14 points several times in the second half, but the Greyhounds (15-15) closed the gap to 58-55 with 5:35 remaining.

After Belin hit two free throws for the Peacocks, Loyola's Justin Drummond turned the ball over and Steven Samuels' jumper built the lead back to seven, 62-55, with 3:13 left.

Saint Peter's outshot Loyola 52.3 percent (23 of 44) to 33.3 percent (16 of 48). The Greyhounds' only lead in the game was 1-0, and it lasted just 15 seconds.

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Darius Conley added 11 points and Samuels 10 for the Peacocks.

Drummond led the Greyhounds with 18 points, and Shane Walker and Erik Etherly scored 13 each.

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