Preview: Lafayette at Loyola Maryland in Patriot League Men’s Basketball

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to reverse difficult starts to the season will meet Saturday when the Lafayette Leopards visit the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds in a Patriot League matchup at Reitz Arena.

Both sides enter the contest on losing streaks. Lafayette (3-10 overall) has dropped four consecutive games, most recently an 85-77 home loss to Colgate on Wednesday. Loyola Maryland (4-10) has lost five straight, falling 84-69 at American on New Year’s Eve.

The game represents an early conference opportunity for either squad to gain traction. The Leopards are led by guard Caleb Williams, who is averaging 18.8 points over his last five games. He scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the loss to Colgate. Forward Mark Butler added 19 points and five rebounds in that game, while Shareef Jackson contributed 12 points and eight boards.

The Greyhounds counter with guard Braeden Speed, who is coming off a 24-point, six-assist performance in a narrow loss at George Mason on Dec. 21. He managed 13 points, four rebounds and three assists against American.

Lafayette’s three wins have come against Mercyhurst, Ball State, and Le Moyne. Loyola Maryland’s victories are against Coppin State, Washington College, Stonehill, and Hampton. Both teams have faced challenging non-conference slates, with the Leopards losing at West Virginia and Texas, and the Greyhounds falling at Kentucky and Duquesne.

Historically, the Patriot League opener often sets a tone for the conference campaign. For the Leopards and Greyhounds, Saturday’s contest is a chance to halt negative momentum and secure a valuable early league win.

Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Baltimore.