THE BASICS:

• Score: American 53, Holy Cross 49
• Records: Holy Cross 5-7, 0-2 PL; American 8-6, 1-1 PL
• Location: Bender Arena, Washington, D.C.
• Date: January 3, 2015
• The Lead: Sophomore forward Malachi Alexander (Bowie, Md.) totaled 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by American 53-49 at Bender Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The score was tied at 4-4 three minutes into the game, before American went on a 10-0 run over the next 4:26 to claim a 14-4 advantage.
• The Eagles would hold a six to 10 point lead for the next several minutes, and were eventually up 27-17 with 4:44 to go before the break.
• Holy Cross then held American scoreless for the remainder of the half, and would trail 27-21 heading into the locker room.
• The Crusaders started the second half hot, using a 7-0 run over the first 2:26 to claim their first lead of the game.
• Holy Cross would lead by as many as five points (34-29), before the Eagles battled back to tie the score at 39-39.
• The Crusaders pulled back in front one last time, taking a 44-41 advantage on a steal and dunk by senior forward Malcolm Miller (Laytonsville, Md.) with 4:34 left to play. 
• American then scored the next six points to re-claim the lead, before a pair of free throws by Alexander with 1:29 left trimmed the margin to 47-46.
• But Holy Cross was unable to convert on its next two possessions, when it trailed by one and three points, before the Eagles hit four of six free throws in the final 20 seconds to hold on for the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Both teams struggled to shoot the ball, with the Eagles hitting 45.5 percent of their field goal attempts (15 of 33) and the Crusaders knocking down just 34.5 percent of their shots (19 of 55).
• But American held a significant advantage at the free throw line where it made 21 of 33 attempts, while Holy Cross was just eight of 14 at the charity stripe.
• On the day, the Crusaders were whistled for 28 fouls, while the Eagles committed only 13 fouls.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 7, when it travels to Colgate for a 7:00 p.m. game.

BE PART OF THE ACTION:

• To purchase Holy Cross men's basketball tickets, visit GoHolyCross.com/Tickets or call the ticket office at (508) 793-2573.