In a shocking turn of events, Holy Cross traveled to Bender Arena and handed American University a devastating 11-point loss, 84-73. This upset is a significant blow to the Eagles' tournament aspirations, as they were heavily favored to win against a Holy Cross team ranked 102 spots below them in the net rankings. The Crusaders, who improved to 8-13 on the season, pulled off the stunning victory despite being on the road, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Madden Collins led the charge for American University, scoring 26 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Crusaders' balanced attack. Tyler Boston paced Holy Cross with 19 points, while Gabe Warren added 17 points and 8 rebounds, and DeAndre Williams chipped in with 12 points and 6 rebounds. The Crusaders' ability to spread the scoring load and capitalize on their opportunities ultimately was the difference-maker.
At halftime, Holy Cross held a slim 38-37 lead, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. The Crusaders came out strong, outscoring American University 46-36 in the final 20 minutes to seal the upset. The Eagles, who fell to 13-8 on the season, struggled to contain Holy Cross' offense, which shot efficiently and moved the ball effectively.
The loss is a significant setback for American University, which was expected to dominate against a lower-ranked opponent. Instead, the Eagles suffered a Quadrant 4 loss, which will undoubtedly hurt their tournament resume. On the other hand, Holy Cross earned a much-needed Quadrant 3 win, which will help boost their own resume. The Crusaders' net ranking of 322 will likely see a significant improvement following this upset victory.
The implications of this result cannot be overstated. American University's tournament chances took a hit, as they can ill afford to drop games to lower-ranked opponents. The Eagles must regroup and refocus in order to get their season back on track. Meanwhile, Holy Cross has injected new life into their campaign, and this win will give them a much-needed confidence boost as they continue to navigate their schedule.
In the end, Holy Cross' upset win over American University will have significant repercussions on both teams' tournament chances. The Crusaders' victory will be a valuable addition to their resume, while the Eagles must work hard to recover from this disappointing loss. As the season enters its critical phase, this result will be a key factor in determining the fate of both teams.