BALTIMORE (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed opportunities than made shots, the Loyola Maryland women’s basketball team grinded out a 49-40 victory over Boston University in a Patriot League contest on Saturday at Reitz Arena.

The Greyhounds, who improved to 10-13 overall, used a decisive third-quarter push to create separation and never relinquished control, holding the visiting Terriers to their second-lowest scoring output of the season. Boston University fell to 7-16.

The game’s most critical sequence unfolded early in the third period. Leading 23-20 at halftime, Loyola Maryland clamped down defensively while finding a rhythm on offense. The Greyhounds opened the second half with a 12-2 run, holding Boston University without a field goal for nearly six minutes. The surge was fueled by free throws from Kimmie Hicks and capped by a Koi Sims layup off a feed from Whitley Watkins, extending the lead to 35-22 with 5:44 left in the quarter. The Terriers, who shot just 36.4% from the field for the game, could not mount a sustained response.

Boston University’s offensive struggles were pervasive. The Terriers managed only six points in the first quarter and seven in the third, finishing with an offensive rating of 71.7 points per 100 possessions. They connected on just 2 of 13 attempts from three-point range and 6 of 10 from the free throw line.

Loyola Maryland was only marginally more efficient, shooting 40.9% from the floor, but capitalized from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe. The Greyhounds hit 6 of 15 three-pointers and 7 of 8 free throws, providing the necessary margin in a low-possession game where both teams had 56 offensive trips.

Amandine Amorich, a guard from Montpellier, France, led all scorers with 14 points for Loyola Maryland, including two crucial three-pointers. Kimmie Hicks of Annapolis, Maryland, added 10 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Lex Therien of Marlton, New Jersey, controlled the glass with seven rebounds and dished out four assists.

Boston University was led by Anastasiia Semenova. The 6-foot-2 forward from St. Petersburg, Russia, scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in 33 minutes. Guard Bella McLaughlin of Hampden, Maine, contributed nine points and three assists.

The Greyhounds’ defense was particularly effective in disrupting Boston University’s interior game, despite the Terriers holding a 24-20 advantage in points in the paint. Loyola Maryland recorded four steals and four blocks, with Watkins and Sims providing significant rim protection.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Loyola Maryland, which edged Boston University 56-55 just three weeks prior on Jan. 17. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Loyola Maryland entered the game with a 60.9% probability to win.

The game was witnessed by an intimate crowd of 315 at Reitz Arena. Both teams continue Patriot League play next week, with Boston University hosting Army on Wednesday and Loyola Maryland traveling to face Holy Cross on Saturday.