BALTIMORE (Interstat) — In a Patriot League season defined by narrow margins and extra sessions, the Lehigh Mountain Hawks and Loyola Maryland Greyhounds authored another exhausting chapter Wednesday night. It required two overtimes and a final, decisive burst from the home team before Loyola Maryland emerged with an 89-84 victory before 932 fans at Reitz Arena.

The game, a tense and often sloppy affair, saw 24 lead changes and 15 ties. Neither team led by more than seven points at any stage, and the final five minutes of regulation and both overtimes were a relentless exchange of critical plays and crushing mistakes.

The most important sequence of the night unfolded in the final 38 seconds of the second overtime, transforming a one-possession game into a secure victory for the Greyhounds. With Loyola Maryland clinging to an 83-81 lead, Lehigh’s Edouard Benoit committed a turnover, his seventh of the game, which was stolen by Tyson Commander. Commander was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to push the lead to four with 25 seconds left.

Lehigh answered immediately, with Hank Alvey throwing down a dunk off a Joshua Ingram assist to cut the deficit back to 85-83 with 14 seconds remaining. The Mountain Hawks then intentionally fouled Troy Cicero, who made the first free throw but missed the second. However, Emmett Adair secured the offensive rebound for Loyola Maryland, a pivotal effort that effectively sealed the game. Adair was fouled and made both subsequent free throws, extending the lead to 88-83 and extinguishing Lehigh’s final hopes.

The contest was a showcase for two standout big men. Lehigh’s Hank Alvey, a 6-foot-9 junior from Mapleton, Illinois, delivered a monumental performance, scoring 27 points, blocking three shots and grabbing key rebounds in 41 minutes. For Loyola Maryland, Australian forward Emmett Adair matched Alvey’s 27 points and added three assists, providing consistent offense throughout the night.

The Greyhounds received crucial supplementary scoring from Jordan Stiemke, who had 19 points, and Troy Cicero, who scored 17 of his points after halftime, including several clutch baskets in the overtimes. Lehigh’s backcourt of Nasir Whitlock and Joshua Ingram combined for 29 points and 12 assists, with Whitlock playing all 48 minutes.

Statistically, the game was won on the margins where Loyola Maryland held slim but decisive advantages. The Greyhounds outscored Lehigh 19-14 in fastbreak points, 12-10 off turnovers, and most notably at the free-throw line, making 15 of 18 attempts compared to Lehigh’s 11-of-21 struggle. Loyola Maryland also forced 13 Lehigh turnovers while committing 11, and out-assisted the Mountain Hawks 11 to 7.

The regulation period ended tied at 68-68, a fitting score for a half where both teams scored 33 points. The first overtime solved nothing, ending deadlocked at 76-76, setting the stage for the final, fateful five-minute period where Loyola Maryland’s composure at the line and on the glass proved the difference.

With the win, Loyola Maryland improves to 9-15 overall. Lehigh, which has now played in six overtime games this season, falls to 10-14. Both teams continue Patriot League play on Saturday, with Loyola Maryland traveling to Boston University and Lehigh visiting Holy Cross.