WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior forward Gerrale Gates totaled 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Army West Point 66-58 at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders fall to 9-21 overall and 7-11 in the Patriot League, while the Black Knights improve to 15-15 on the year and 9-9 in the conference.

Holy Cross made just 27.7 percent of its field goal attempts and 29.6 percent of its three-pointers on the afternoon. Army was able to connect on 40.0 percent of its shots from the floor and 78.6 percent of its attempts at the free throw line.

The Black Knights opened the game with an early 8-4 lead, before the Crusaders scored the next six points to pull in front. Holy Cross was later up 15-11 when Army scored five points in a row to reclaim the lead. After the score was tied at 19-19, the Black Knights closed the half with an 8-2 run to lead 27-21 at the break.

Army held onto a small lead early in the second half before eventually extending the margin to 13 (49-36) with 7:58 left to play. The Crusaders then went on an 11-2 spurt to close to within four (51-47) with 2:19 remaining. Gates scored six points during that run, while sophomore guard Judson Martindale added five. But the Black Knights score the next seven points to go back up by double figures and would hit 10 of 12 free throws in the final minute to pull out the win.

Martindale finished the game with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals, while freshman guard Kyrell Luc added 11 points, four rebounds and two steals. Army was led by Jalen Rucker with 24 points and seven rebounds.

Holy Cross will return to action on Tuesday, March 1, when it plays host to American in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament at 7:00 p.m.

SENIOR DAY:
• Prior to tip-off, three senior members of the Holy Cross basketball program who will be concluding their collegiate careers at the end of the 2021-2022 season were honored in a pregame ceremony.
• Senior guard Malcolm Townsel and senior guard D.J. Hart were recognized, along with team manager Jude Donabedian.