WORCESTER, Mass. – Junior guard
Austin Butler posted a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Sacred Heart 89-68 at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders fall to 1-11 on the season with the loss, while the Pioneers improve to 7-5 overall.
Holy Cross hit just 38.2 percent of its field goal attempts and 25.0 percent of its three-pointers on the day, while committing 14 turnovers. The Pioneers were able to connect on 51.5 percent of their shots from the floor, while giving the ball away just 10 times.
The game was close early on, as Sacred Heart led 10-8 with 13:20 left in the first half. Sacred Heart then used a 26-4 run over the next 7:39 to take a commanding 36-12 advantage. The Pioneers went on to take a 29-point lead (50-21) into the locker room at halftime.
Sacred Heart expanded its advantage to 32 early in the second half, and was still up by 31 (61-30) with 17:37 left to play. The Crusaders then used a 13-2 run to close the gap to 20 points (63-43) with 13:20 left to play. But that was as close as Holy Cross would get, as the Pioneers went on to post a 21-point victory.
Freshman forward
Joe Pridgen finished the day with a game-high 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while freshman guard
Ryan Wade scored 13 points. E.J. Anosike led Sacred Heart with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Holy Cross returns to action next Sunday, Dec. 29, when it travels to Siena for a 2:00 p.m. game.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Butler's 17 rebounds were the most by a Crusader in a single game since Eric Obeysekere pulled down 17 boards at Marist on Dec. 19, 2010.
• Pridgen posted his team-leading third 20-point game of the season.
• Butler set career highs for both rebounds (17) and assists (seven).
