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.
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.
