Leon scores 20 points to help Saint Peter’s take 48-43 victory over Loyola

Saint Peter’s holds off Loyola 48-43

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Nick Leon scored 20 points and Saint Peter’s held Loyola (Md.) scoreless in the final 1:09 to take a 48-43 victory on Sunday.

Loyola shot 15.4 percent from the field (4-for-26) in the second half and the Peacocks (10-8, 5-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) overcame a seven-point halftime deficit.

Saint Peter’s started the second half with an 18-1 run to take a 32-22 lead on Leon’s free throws with 10:48 remaining, but the Greyhounds (9-9, 2-6) cut the lead to 40-39 on Brian Rudolph’s free throws with 1:46 to play.

Loyola didn’t score after Shane Walker’s free throws cut the lead to 45-43 with 1:10 left.

The teams combined to go 4-for-23 from the 3-point arc.

Leon was 7-for-10 from the field and Ryan Bacon had 12 rebounds for Saint Peter’s.

Walker finished with 13 and Robert Olson added 10 points for Loyola, which shot 25 percent from the field (12-for-48).