by Joe DiBlasi

Towson Catholic knew this would be a year of transition, as it braved life without superstars Malcolm Delaney and Donte Greene, who are enjoying success in college on the Division I level.  But, after a rocky start, coach Josh Pratt's charges are finding their way and it's another Greene - Brandon - who has led the charge during a current five game win streak.

Last night at Blakefield, the Owls got 19 points from Greene, a cousin of Donte, and handed the upstart Dons their second straight loss, 47-41, after Loyola had opened the year with nine straight victories.

For the Owls, it was their fifth straight victory, allowing to move above the .500 mark for the first time this year, at 8-7.  They remain the only unbeaten team in the Baltimore Catholic League, where they are 3-0, and they are in the thick of the MIAA A Conference hunt, at 4-1.

In addition to Greene's offense, the Owls did the one thing you must do to stop Loyola - play tenacious defense on the Dons' perimeter game.  TC held leading scorers Matt Rum and James Davenport to just eight points each, while sharp shooter Sal Schittino was limited to a team-high 11.

Towson Catholic doubled-up the Dons in a 14-7 first quarter and were able to remain in control of the ebbs and flows from that point.  Junior Deven Spence backed up Greene's offense with 11 points to aid the Owls.

"This was a big game for us, because Loyola beat St. Frances, so this was a big win," said Green.

"It's great to win on the road and the national tournaments that we played in have helped us win on the road in the league," said Pratt.  "We'll take it one game at a time, and stay with our motto, 'let's just find a way.'"

Next up for the Owls is a battle with Cardinal Gibbons, on Friday night, and their first encounter with St. Frances, on Sunday.  Loyola (9-2, 4-2 MIAA, 2-2 BCL) will attempt to bounce back into the win column on Friday, when it hosts St. Maria Goretti.

Towson Catholic 47, Loyola 41
TC   14   8   11   14   -    47
L      7    9    9    16   -     41
 
Towson Catholic: Bastfield 3, Breckenridge 3, Bruce 6, Green 19, Spencer 11, Thomas 1, Sizer 4. Totals 47.
Loyola: Rum 8, Stanwick 8, Davenport 8, Schittino 11, Folyd 4, Dauses 2. Totals 41.
Half: Towson Catholic, 22-16.