Preview: Loyola Maryland Visits Bucknell in Patriot League Matchup

LEWISBURG, Pa. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in Patriot League play will meet Saturday when the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds visit the Bucknell Bison at Sojka Pavilion.

Both squads enter with struggling overall records. Loyola Maryland (5-11) snapped a five-game skid with an 84-76 overtime victory at Army on Wednesday. Bucknell (4-12) is looking to rebound from a 76-55 loss at Navy that same night.

The game will feature a contrast in recent form. The Greyhounds’ win at West Point was fueled by 19 points from guard Braeden Speed and 16 from Jacob Theodosiou. Speed has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 16.8 points over his last five games, including a 24-point effort at George Mason last month.

Bucknell’s path to victory likely runs through its defense and forward Amon Dörries. Dörries is coming off a 15-point, three-block performance against Navy and scored 11 in the Bison’s last win, a 72-65 decision over Lehigh on Jan. 3. He will be a key factor against a Loyola team that has shown offensive bursts.

The Bison have struggled to find consistent scoring, held under 60 points in three of their last four games. Their most decisive win this season was a 51-38 defensive triumph at Rider on Dec. 9.

Historically, this is the first of two scheduled meetings between the programs this season, with the rematch set for Jan. 24 in Baltimore.

For Loyola, building on the road win at Army is critical as they face a stretch of four conference games in 11 days. Bucknell aims to protect its home court, where it earned its lone Patriot League victory so far.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.