LEWISBURG, Pa. – Freshman guard
Drew Lowder totaled 21 points, five rebounds and two assists, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Bucknell 75-60 at Sojka Pavilion. The Crusaders fall to 2-15 on the season and 1-3 in the Patriot League with the loss, while the Bison improve to 7-10 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
Holy Cross connected on 44.0 percent of its field goal attempts and held a 35-32 rebounding advantage, but was unable to overcome 22 turnovers. Bucknell made 46.8 percent of its shots from the floor and 42.9 percent of its attempts from three-point range.
The game was close throughout a first half which featured four ties and 10 lead changes. The Bison were up 15-9 with 12 minutes left before halftime, when the Crusaders scored eight straight points to pull in front (17-15). Holy Cross was later up 25-24 with 5:31 to go before the break, but Bucknell closed out the half with a 13-4 run to take a 37-29 advantage into the locker room.
The Crusaders trailed by just six (39-33) with 17:52 left in regulation, when the Bison scored 11 straight points to take control of the game. Holy Cross would get no closer than 12 points the rest of the way, as Bucknell went on to post a 15-point victory.
Junior guard
Austin Butler finished the day with 17 points, while junior forward
Connor Niego posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. John Meeks led the Bison with 19 points and five boards.
Holy Cross returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 15, when it plays host to Army West Point at 7:00 p.m.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Lowder posted his second 20-point game of the season.
• Niego recorded his second double-double in the last four games.
• Junior forward
Matt Faw finished with a career-high five blocked shots.
