Ramblers lose in A-10 first round
Philip Alston finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but Loyola’s first season in the Atlantic 10 came to a disappointing end Tuesday with a 72-67 loss to St. Joseph’s in the first round of the conference tournament at the Barclays Center in New York.
Braden Norris added 13 points and eight assists, and Ben Schwieger added 12 points for the Ramblers (10-21), who finished with their fewest wins since going 10-22 in 2013-14, their first season in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Ramblers had five consecutive 20-win seasons with NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022, 2021 and 2018 (Final Four).
Lynn Greer scored 22 points to lead the 10-seed Hawks (15-16), who advance to play George Washington in the second round.
♦ Notre Dame lost 67-64 to Virginia Tech in the first round of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, in Mike Brey’s last game as Irish coach. Brey is stepping down after 23 years.
Trey Wertz made two free throws with 42 seconds left to give the Irish (11-21) a 64-63 lead, but they couldn’t hold on.
Marcus Hammond scored 23 points and Cormac Ryan 18 for Notre Dame. Grant Basile scored 20 points for the 11-seed Hokies (19-13), who advance to play N.C. State in the second round.
NBA
Bucks stay hot against Magic
Playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo (nonCOVID-19 illness) and Jrue Holiday (sore neck), the Bucks breezed to a 134-123 victory against the host Magic for their 18th win in 19 games. Brook Lopez scored 26 points, Khris Middleton and Jevon Carter each added 24 points and Bobby Portis Jr. had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks.
♦ Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 27 points, Terry Rozier added 25 and the visiting Hornets snapped the Knicks’ nine-game winning streak with a 112-105 victory. The Knicks played without former Stevenson star Jalen Brunson (sore left foot).
♦ Joel Embiid scored 39 points, Tyrese Maxey added 27 and the 76ers beat the host Timberwolves 117-94 despite playing without star James Harden (sore left foot).