Bridgeport, Conn. - Junior guard Miriam McKenzie hit her second straight late-game basket to put the Greyhounds up, 48-47, with just 38 seconds left, and the Loyola University Maryland women's basketball team knocked down two free throws to seal the win, 50-47, over the Manhattan Jaspers, in the Spark Energy Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Semifinals at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard.
Loyola trailed 44-47 before McKenzie hit a jumper in the paint to cut the Jaspers' lead to one with 1:23 remaining. The Greyhounds defense forced a shot clock violation with just 50 ticks left and on the ensuing possession McKenzie drove through traffic putting in a lay up to give Loyola a 48-47 lead.
Graduate student guard Erica DiClemente knocked down two free throws with just 11 seconds left to extend Loyola's lead to three with 11 second left, giving Manhattan one final chance to tie the game.
The Jaspers' got off a final shot with seven seconds remaining, but freshman guard Monica Roeder's three-pointer fell short hitting the front of the rim to move the Greyhounds to their first MAAC Championship game since the 2005-2006 season.
Loyola was led by McKenzie, who scored17 points and grabbed six rebounds. Sophomore guard Katie Sheahin chipped in 16 points, six rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
Manhattan's senior Abby Wentworth led the Jaspers with 22 points and Monica Roeder who added 17.