Loyola Maryland Falls to Georgetown 80-58 in 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Season Opener
By Brian Hradsky
WASHINGTON — Loyola University Maryland opened its 2026-27 men’s basketball season with an 80-58 loss to Georgetown University on Monday night at Capital One Arena. The Greyhounds struggled offensively in the opening half before mounting a spirited comeback that briefly threatened the Hoyas’ comfortable advantage. Georgetown ultimately responded with a decisive scoring run to secure the victory. Loyola dropped to 0-1, while Georgetown improved to 1-0.
Georgetown Takes Control Early
Georgetown established its offensive rhythm immediately behind Jaland Lowe, who scored 11 early points to help the Hoyas build a 14-2 advantage. Loyola briefly answered with consecutive baskets, but Georgetown continued attacking the paint and creating scoring opportunities. The Hoyas eventually stretched their lead to 39-15 before taking a 44-20 advantage into halftime. Loyola entered the locker room facing a significant deficit against its Big East opponent.
Lowe delivered an outstanding first half, scoring 17 points and repeatedly finding openings in Loyola’s defense. Georgetown combined effective perimeter shooting with interior production from Vincent Iwuchukwu to maintain control. The Greyhounds struggled to establish consistent offensive possessions and could not prevent Georgetown from extending its advantage. The Hoyas’ 24-point halftime lead reflected their dominance through the opening 20 minutes.
Loyola Shows Fight in Second Half
Despite the difficult start, Loyola returned from halftime with renewed offensive energy and began cutting into Georgetown’s lead. Leo Ricketts connected from three-point range, while D’Andre Harrison contributed a driving layup to help spark the comeback. Troy Cicero Jr. and Robbie Long III then hit consecutive three-pointers, bringing the Greyhounds within 14 points. Another Long three reduced Georgetown’s advantage to 11 with 14:12 remaining.
Loyola continued competing as Ricketts converted baskets near the rim and Everett Barnes delivered a putback dunk. The Greyhounds repeatedly brought the margin back to 11 points, giving themselves an opportunity to make the contest competitive down the stretch. Their improved offensive execution showed what the team could accomplish when its perimeter shooting and ball movement worked together. However, Georgetown quickly regained control before Loyola could complete the comeback.
Georgetown’s 16-0 Run Ends Comeback Hopes
Georgetown responded to Loyola’s rally with 16 consecutive points over a stretch of 6:42, turning an 11-point lead into a 27-point advantage. Iwuchukwu played a central role in the decisive stretch, contributing 10 points during the run. The Hoyas eventually extended their lead to as many as 31 points before Loyola narrowed the final margin. Georgetown’s ability to answer Loyola’s momentum shift ultimately decided the game.
Lowe finished with a game-high 23 points, shooting 9-for-15 from the field and 5-for-8 from three-point range. Iwuchukwu added 21 points and nine rebounds, while Elmarko Jackson contributed 14 points. Georgetown shot 46% from the field and outrebounded Loyola 38-35. The Hoyas also distributed 18 assists on their 29 made field goals.
Loyola’s Top Performers
Leo Ricketts led the Greyhounds with 10 points, scoring all of them in the second half. Everett Barnes and Sebastien Emenalo each contributed seven points, while D’Andre Harrison, Robbie Long III and Gage Howard Jr. finished with six apiece. Long and Howard made their collegiate debuts, providing Loyola with valuable early-season experience against a major-conference opponent. The balanced scoring behind Ricketts demonstrated Loyola’s depth, although the Greyhounds lacked a consistent leading scorer throughout the contest.
Emenalo led Loyola with eight rebounds, while Carter Berg-McLean recorded seven assists against only one turnover. The Greyhounds shot 38.1% from the field but connected on 10 of their 28 three-point attempts. Loyola also finished with 35 rebounds, just three fewer than Georgetown. Those numbers suggest that the Greyhounds can build on several encouraging performances despite the disappointing result.
MSB Take: Loyola Must Improve Its Starts
Loyola’s season-opening defeat revealed both the challenges and potential of this Greyhounds roster. Allowing Georgetown to establish a 24-point halftime lead created a difficult situation that even an impressive second-half rally could not overcome. The encouraging development was Loyola’s ability to respond offensively and reduce the deficit to 11 against a talented Big East opponent. However, the Greyhounds must find ways to sustain that intensity for an entire game.
The performances of Ricketts, Emenalo and Berg-McLean offer encouraging signs for Loyola’s offense. Ricketts demonstrated his scoring ability, Emenalo contributed on the glass, and Berg-McLean showed that he can distribute the basketball while protecting possession. Loyola also received contributions from newcomers who could become increasingly important as the season progresses. Developing more consistent scoring and preventing extended opponent runs should become immediate priorities.
Georgetown presented a difficult opening assignment, but the experience should help prepare Loyola for Patriot League competition. The Greyhounds do not need to match every opponent’s individual talent to compete effectively if they can improve their defensive communication, rebounding and offensive execution. Their second-half comeback showed resilience, but their inability to stop Georgetown’s decisive run highlighted an important area for improvement. Loyola’s next opportunity will provide another early indication of how quickly the team can address those weaknesses.
What’s Next for Loyola?
Loyola returns to action Friday, November 6, against Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. and gives the Greyhounds an opportunity to respond to their season-opening loss. Establishing a stronger first-half performance will be particularly important after Georgetown’s early dominance. Loyola will look to secure its first victory of the 2026-27 season.
