WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior guard
Austin Butler posted his 10th career double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, as the Holy Cross men's basketball team recorded an 82-65 victory over Boston University at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders improve to 3-8 overall and 3-8 in the Patriot League with the win, while the Terriers fall to 3-6 on the season and 3-6 in the conference.
Holy Cross turned in one of its top defensive performances of the year, holding Boston University to 36.4 percent shooting from the field and 26.7 percent shooting from three-point range. The Crusaders also hit 57.4 percent of their shots from the floor and 52.9 percent of their attempts from long range, in addition to holding a 31-29 rebounding advantage.
The game was close throughout a first half which featured six ties and three lead changes. Holy Cross led by as many as five points on three different occasions, before taking a 34-32 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
The score was tied at 36-36 early in the second half, when the Crusaders used a 12-2 run to claim a 10-point lead (48-38). Butler scored five of his points during that run. The Terriers were able to close the gap to eight points (59-51) with 6:33 left to play, before Holy Cross put the game away with a 9-2 run. In the end, the Crusaders pulled away for a 17-point victory.
Junior forward
Gerrale Gates finished the day with 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard
Ryan Wade added 13 points and three rebounds, while senior forward
Matt Faw chipped in with 10 points. Boston University was led by Javante McCoy and Walter Whyte with 16 points each.
The Crusaders will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 14, when they face the Terriers in Boston at 5:00 p.m.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Butler hit the 20-point mark for the second time this season, with both of those games coming against Boston University.
• Gates has now scored in double-figures in all 11 games he has played in a Holy Cross uniform.
• The 17-point margin of victory was the Crusaders' largest against the Terriers since 2009.
