The College of the Holy Cross Crusaders secured a 72-63 victory over the Bucknell University Bison at Sojka Pavilion, with the nine-point margin suggesting a closely contested affair. The first half ended with Holy Cross holding a slim one-point lead, 31-30, indicating a competitive and evenly matched opening 20 minutes.
The second half saw Cross pull away, outscoring Bucknell 41-33 to seal the win. Given the narrow halftime deficit and the relatively modest final margin, it is clear that this game was decided by a possession or two. The outcome reflects the tight competition between these two teams, with Bucknell and Holy Cross separated by just six spots in the NET rankings, at 336 and 330, respectively.
A 21-point, 7-rebound performance from Gabe Warren set the tone for Holy Cross, as his ability to score from the field and the free-throw line proved crucial. With the game on the line, Tyler Boston's 19 points and 7 rebounds were also instrumental in securing the win, his 3-point shooting a notable factor in the outcome. His 3-for-6 mark from beyond the arc helped to stretch the defense and create opportunities for his teammates.
Erupting for 19 points, Boston's overall stat line was complemented by the steady play of John St. Germain III, whose 9 points and 3 assists provided a secondary scoring option for Holy Cross. The freshman standout Gabe Warren's 3 assists were also a key aspect of his game, as he was able to balance scoring and distributing the ball effectively. His free-throw shooting, in particular, was a highlight, as he converted all 8 of his attempts from the line, a testament to his clutch gene and ability to perform under pressure.
His 20 points and 10 rebounds from Achile Spadone were a notable effort, but ultimately not enough to propel Bucknell to victory. Finishing with 20 points on 8-16 shooting, Amon Dörries' performance was similarly impressive, yet insufficient to overcome the deficit. Despite the loss, the team's leading scorer, Achile Spadone, also contributed 10 rebounds, showcasing his versatility.
The supporting cast, led by Pat Curtin, saw him finish with 16 points on 6-14 shooting, including 2-5 from beyond the arc, but the team's overall offense was stifled by Holy Cross's defense. With Amon Dörries and Achile Spadone combining for 40 points, the rest of the team struggled to find their rhythm, and Pat Curtin's efforts, although valiant, were not enough to change the outcome.
Beyond the standout performances, the remaining players for both teams largely fell in line with their season averages, without any notable deviations.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a Holy Cross victory by nearly four points was ultimately correct, albeit with a slightly wider margin of victory than anticipated. The actual result, a nine-point win for Holy Cross, suggests that the prediction was on the right track, but perhaps underestimated the Crusaders' ability to capitalize on their advantages. The prediction's correctness is notable, given the differences in the teams' performances compared to their season averages.
The disparity in shooting efficiency was a decisive factor in the outcome, with Holy Cross's significantly higher effective field goal percentage (55.9%) compared to Bucknell's (40.3%) indicating a substantial advantage in terms of making shots. Additionally, Holy Cross's strong three-point shooting (47.4%) further stretched the defense and created opportunities for easy baskets. While Bucknell did manage to secure a higher percentage of offensive rebounds, this was not enough to offset the Crusaders' overall shooting superiority, which ultimately proved to be the key difference in the game.
The outcome of this contest has significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations, as they vie for positioning in the Patriot League tournament. Holy Cross, now 10-19, has bolstered its chances of securing a favorable seed in the conference tournament, while Bucknell, falling to 8-21, faces an increasingly uphill battle to climb the standings. With both teams squarely focused on winning the Patriot League tournament as their sole path to the NCAA Tournament, every conference game takes on added importance. Given the quad designations, it's clear that both teams have struggled against higher-level opponents, but this result will nonetheless impact their trajectory within the conference. Ultimately, this loss serves as a stark reminder that Bucknell's program, once a consistent force in the Patriot League, is at a crossroads, and its inability to beat a fellow struggler like Holy Cross is a damning indictment of its current state.