ALBANY, N.Y. – Freshman forward
Joe Pridgen totaled 17 points and nine rebounds, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Siena 74-62 at the Times Union Center. The Crusaders fall to 1-12 on the season with the loss, while the Saints improve to 5-5 overall.
Holy Cross made 47.3 percent of its field goal attempts on the afternoon, but connected on just 33.3 percent of its shots in the second half. Siena knocked down 53.7 percent of its attempts from the floor while committing just nine turnovers.
The Crusaders opened the game by jumping out to an early 9-5 lead after the first 3:34 of action. Holy Cross was still up by one (21-20) with 8:58 left before the break, when the Saints went on a 12-2 run to pull in front. Siena eventually led 45-37 heading into the locker room at halftime.
The Saints remained in front early in the second half, and were up 55-44 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The Crusaders then scored seven straight points to close to within four (55-51), and were later down by just five (63-58) with 2:40 left to play. But Siena scored the next six points to take control, and went on to post a 12-point victory.
Junior forward
Connor Niego finished the day with 12 points and two rebounds, while junior guard
Austin Butler added 11 points, four assists and three rebounds. Donald Carey led the Saints with 22 points and four assists.
Holy Cross returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 2, when it travels to Loyola (Md.) for its Patriot League opener at 7:00 p.m.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Pridgen scored in double figures for the seventh straight game and the ninth time overall this year.
• Niego's 12 points are his second-highest total of the season.
