BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman guard Kyrell Luc totaled a career-high 24 points, four rebounds and four assists to lead the Holy Cross men's basketball team to a 75-70 victory over Boston University at Case Gymnasium. The Crusaders improve to 5-15 overall and 3-5 in the Patriot League with the win, while the Terriers fall to 15-9 on the season and 6-5 in the conference.

Holy Cross hit a season-high 59.3 percent of its field goal attempts on the night, including 45.5 percent of its shots from three-point range. The Crusaders also recorded a season-best 10 blocked shots, while holding Boston University to 41.3 percent shooting from the floor.

The game was close throughout a first half which featured three ties and seven lead changes. The Terriers led by as many as six points on two different occasions, before eventually taking a 36-33 advantage into the locker room.

Boston University increased its lead to five (38-33) early in the second half, before Holy Cross went on a 17-6 run to pull in front by six (50-44) with 12:41 left to play. The Crusaders were still up by five (57-52), when the Terriers scored 10 straight points to reclaim the lead (62-57). Holy Cross scored the next four points to narrow the gap, and the score was later tied at 65-65 with three minutes left to play. 

Sophomore guard Bo Montgomery then drove the lane and scored to give the Crusaders the lead for good, then Luc and senior forward Gerrale Gates added baskets to make the score 71-65. Holy Cross then made four of five three throws in the final minute to pull out a five-point victory.

Montgomery finished the game with 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, while senior guard Malcolm Townsel added 12 points. Javante McCoy led Boston University with 18 points.

Holy Cross will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 5, when it travels to Army for a 1:00 p.m. game.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Gates scored the 1,000th point of his collegiate career on a layup with 51.4 seconds remaining in the second half.
• Freshman forward Caleb Kenney set a new career high with five blocked shots.
• The Crusaders' 10 blocks were their most since blocking 11 shots against Colgate on Jan. 31, 2021.