WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior forward Gerrale Gates totaled a career-high 32 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Bucknell 68-65 at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders fall to 3-14 overall and 1-4 in the Patriot League, while the Bison improve to 4-16 on the season and 1-7 in the conference.

Holy Cross made just 36.5 percent of its field goal attempts on the night, but was able to force 20 turnovers on the defensive end of the court. Bucknell hit 46.2 percent of its shots from the floor while holding a 44-31 rebounding advantage.

The Bison started the game hot, jumping out to an early 10-2 lead after the first five minutes of play. Bucknell was able to extend its advantage to 11 (23-12) with 8:41 left in the half, before the Crusaders used a 12-2 run to make it a one-point game (25-24). Holy Cross would eventually tie the score at 30-30, before the Bison went on to take a 36-32 edge into the locker room.

Gates started the second half by scoring eight straight points to give the Crusaders their first lead of the day, 40-36 with 16 minutes left. Holy Cross was later up by six (46-40), when Bucknell used a 7-0 spurt to go back in front (47-46). The score remained close the rest of the way, and the Crusaders would take a 58-57 advantage with 3:53 to go on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Nolan Dorsey. But Andrew Funk hit a three-pointer on the next possession to put the Bison back in front, and Bucknell would lead the rest of the way, eventually pulling out a three-point victory.

Dorsey finished the afternoon with a career-high 13 points, while freshman guard Kyrell Luc and sophomore guard Judson Martindale scored eight points each. The Bison were led by Xander Rice with 16 points.

Holy Cross returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 26, when it travels to American for a 7:00 p.m. game.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Gates' 32 points are the most by a Crusader in a single game this season
• Bucknell's 20 tied for the most Holy Cross has forced in a game this year.
• Dorsey became the 12th different Crusader to have a double-figure scoring game this season.