BALTIMORE, Md. – Sophomore guard
DáJion Humphrey scored 19 points while making five of seven shots from three-point range, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Loyola (Md.) 79-70 at Reitz Arena. The Crusaders fall to 2-12 overall and 0-2 in the Patriot League, while the Greyhounds improve to 7-6 on the season and 1-1 in the conference.
Holy Cross made just 41.1 percent of its field goal attempts and 33.3 percent of its three-pointers on the night. Loyola was able to connect on 49.2 percent of its shots from the floor and 38.5 percent of its attempts from three-point range, while holding a 37-30 rebounding advantage.
The Greyhounds opened the game by jumping out to an early 12-2 lead after the first 4:23 of action. Loyola was later up 17-7, when the Crusaders went on a 12-3 run to make it a one-point game (20-19). The Greyhounds were able to increase their lead back to five points (27-22), before Holy Cross used an 11-3 spurt to pull in front (33-30). Loyola responded by closing out the half with a 9-2 run to take a 39-35 advantage into the locker room.
The score stayed close early in the second half, and the Crusaders held a 51-50 lead with 13:44 left to play. The Greyhounds then scored 14 straight points to take a commanding 64-51 lead with 9:13 remaining. Holy Cross would get no closer than eight points the rest of the way, as Loyola went on to post a nine-point victory.
Senior forward
Gerrale Gates finished the night with 14 points and five rebounds, while freshman guard
Kyrell Luc totaled 11 points and five assists. Sophomore guard
Judson Martindale added 10 points and four rebounds, and sophomore guard
Bo Montgomery posted 10 points and two assists. The Greyhounds were led by Cam Spencer with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Crusaders return to action on Friday, Jan. 7, when they play host to Lafayette at 7:00 p.m.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Humphrey set a new career high in scoring with his 19 points.
• Holy Cross had five players score in double figures for the second time this season.
• Luc tied his career high with five assists.
