MIAA

Depleted Loyola turns to Fiocco and delivers with 23 points

2/3/2010

John Fiocco stepped on for an injured Matt Mathias and hit five three-pointers and scored 23 points to lead Loyola to victory.

Senior John Fiocco did what seniors do - step forward when his team needed him most.

With the Dons missing three key players due to illness and school obligations, Fiocco scored 23 points to lift his squad over visiting Baltimore Poly, 70-61, on Wednesday at Blakefield.

Seniors Brendan Hartman, Emmett Cahill and Teddy Pons all were unavailable for Coach Josh Davalli and, to make matters worse, leading scorer Matt Mathias suffered a head injury in the second quarter and missed the entire second half.  He is listed as day-to-day.

Fiocco, who stepped in for Mathias, hit his first five three-point attempts.  The sharpshooting senior said of his team’s performance:

“We showed a lot of heart and definitely had to step up to account for the guys we had missing.  It just feels good to get back in the win column.”

Senior Mike Fitzpatrick posted a double-double scoring 10 and dishing out 10 dimes.  Sophomore Dan Vigus scored a season-high 14 points, including 10 from the charity stripe.

Mathias, who is averaging just less than 16 points a game, led Loyola in rebounding and steals, with seven boards and four steals in just 11 minutes of play.

Montray Clemons led the Engineers, posting a double-double of his own, with 18 points and 11 rebounds.  Jeff Joynes added 17 points for Poly.

Although Poly out-rebounded Loyola (35-22), the Dons forced an astounding 32 turnovers and took six charges in the win.

Pending inclement weather, the Dons welcome Cardinals Gibbons on Sunday at 3:30 pm.

Loyola Blakefield 70, Baltimore Poly 61
POLY: Clemons 18, Joynes 17, Short 11, Pettiford 5, Edelugwo 5, Hodges 3, Butler 2. Totals 24 10-14 61.
LOY: Fiocco 23, Vigus 14, Fitzpatrick 10, Floyd 6, Murphy 6, Mathias 5, Marsh 5, Moran 1. Totals 22 17-26 70.
Half: Loyola, 28-18.