BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Freshman forward
Joe Pridgen scored a game-high 30 points, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Lehigh 89-82 at Stabler Arena. Pridgen hit 11 of 14 field goal attempts on the night, including his only shot from three-point range, and also made seven of nine free throws. The Crusaders fall to to 3-23 on the season and 2-11 in the Patriot League with the loss, while the Mountain Hawks improve to 7-18 overall and 4-9 in the conference.
Holy Cross made 52.8 percent of its field goal attempts, 46.7 percent of its three-pointers and 82.6 percent of its foul shots in the game. Lehigh was able to connect on 50.0 percent of its shots from the floor and 85.7 percent of its attempts at the charity stripe, while holding a 35-23 rebounding advantage.
The Crusaders started the game hot, jumping out to an early 15-8 lead after the first five minutes of play. The Mountain Hawks responded with an 11-2 run to pull in front, and went on to lead by 10 points late in the half. Lehigh eventually held a 41-33 advantage heading into the locker room.
The Mountain Hawks were later up by 10 (53-43) with 15:53 left to play, when Holy Cross used an 8-2 spurt to close to within four (55-51). The Crusaders were still down by just six (69-63) with 7:19 remaining, before Lehigh used a 7-2 run to go in front by 11 (76-65). Holy Cross would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way, as the Mountain Hawks held on for the victory.
Junior forward
Matt Faw finished the game with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Junior guard
Austin Butler added 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, while junior forward
Connor Niego scored 14 points. Jeameril Wilson led Lehigh with 19 points.
Holy Cross returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 15, when it plays host to Lafayette at 2:00 p.m.
