Preview: Bucknell Bison at Loyola Maryland Greyhounds

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — Two Patriot League men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Bucknell Bison visit the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds at Reitz Arena.

Both teams enter the contest with identical 6-14 overall records, looking to climb the conference standings. The matchup is a quick rematch from Jan. 10, when Bucknell edged Loyola Maryland 70-67 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Bucknell (6-14) is coming off a heartbreaking 87-84 overtime loss to Army on Wednesday. The Bison have shown resilience in conference play, however, with a 4-3 mark in their last seven Patriot League games following a difficult non-conference slate.

The Bison are led by guard Pat Curtin, who is averaging 18.4 points per game in Patriot League play. He scored 25 points in the first meeting against Loyola Maryland and is coming off a 40-minute, 25-point performance in the overtime loss to Army.

Loyola Maryland (6-14) has lost two straight, including an 88-81 defeat at Lehigh on Monday. The Greyhounds are 3-4 in their last seven conference games.

Guard Braeden Speed paces the Greyhounds, averaging 16.6 points per game in conference action. He was held to 11 points in the first game against Bucknell but has scored 19 or more in three of his last five outings.

In the Jan. 10 meeting, Bucknell’s defense forced 14 Loyola turnovers and held the Greyhounds to 41.7% shooting from the field to secure the narrow victory.

Saturday’s game will be a test of which team can better execute down the stretch. Bucknell aims to complete a regular-season sweep, while Loyola Maryland looks to defend its home court and even the season series.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST at Reitz Arena in Baltimore.