EASTON, Pa. – Senior forward Gerrale Gates posted his eight double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Lafayette 62-48 at the Kirby Sports Center. The Crusaders fall to 6-13 overall and 3-3 in the Patriot League, while the Leopards improve to 5-14 on the year and 3-3 in the conference.

Holy Cross made just 32.7 percent of its field goal attempts and 26.3 percent of its three-pointers on the afternoon. Lafayette was able to connect on 38.2 percent of its shots from the floor and 35.7 percent of its attempts from three-point range, while committing just nine turnovers.

The Leopards opened the game by jumping out to an early 16-5 lead after the first 6:12 of action. Lafayette had increased its lead to 13 points (27-14) with 7:49 left in the first half, before the Crusaders went on a 12-2 run to make it a three-point game (29-26). The Leopards came back to score the final six points of the half and led 35-26 heading into the locker room.

Holy Cross started the second half on fire, using a 13-2 spurt over the first 4:39 to pull in front (39-37). The Crusaders were still up by one (46-45 with nine minutes left to play) before going cold from the field, and Lafayette closed out the game with a 17-2 run to earn the victory.

Freshman guard Will Batchelder finished the day with 11 points, while junior guard Bo Montgomery added 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. T.J. Berger led the Leopards with 19 points and eight rebounds.

The Crusaders return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they play host to Colgate at 7:00 p.m.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross men's basketball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossMBB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossmbb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Men's Basketball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross