DURHAM, N.H. – Freshman guard Ryan Wade tallied a game-high 24 points to pace the Crusaders, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was edged by New Hampshire, 87-83, at the Lundholm Gymnasium. Connor Niego, Drew Lowder, and Marlon Hargis all went perfect at the free-throw line. The Crusaders drop to 0-2 on the season and New Hampshire improves to 1-0.
 
The Crusaders shot 45.5% from beyond the arc and hit 46.4% of their field goals on the game while New Hampshire hit 46.2% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range. The Wildcats held the rebound advantage, 38-35, while the Crusaders grabbed more defensive boards (29-27). The Crusaders also dished out 12 assists, led by Joe Pidgen, who passed out five.
 
In the first half, New Hampshire ran out to an 11-3 lead before the Crusaders found their next basket. The combination of Wade, Austin Butler, and Niego helped Holy Cross tie the game at 17-17 at the midway point of the first half. New Hampshire took back the lead and held it for the remainder of the opening half, leading 46-40.
 
Holy Cross pushed the pace in the second half and nearly closed the gap twice at the 12:43 mark and again at 12:01 at 61-60, but again the Wildcats ran for a lead. With six minutes to play, the game was again within one point (72-70) thanks to a field goal from Blake Verbeek but two baskets from New Hampshire added to the differential. The Wildcats took over for an 87-83 victory.
 
Freshman forward Joe Pridgen finished with 13 points, five assists, and eight defensive boards. New Hampshire was led by Nick Guardarrama with 28 points.
 
The Crusaders open up the Hart Center on Nov. 12 at 7:05 p.m. when they play host to Fairfield.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• The Crusaders' rookies combined for 51 points between Lowder (14), Wade (24), and Pridgen (13).