ALBANY, N.Y. – Senior guard Bo Montgomery totaled 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Siena 73-71 at MVP Arena. The Crusaders open the season at 0-1, while the Saints start the year 1-0.
 
 HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Siena held a small lead throughout the first half, and eventually took a 38-28 edge into the locker room at halftime.
• The Saints had increased their advantage to 12 (42-30) early in the second half, before Holy Cross went on a 16-6 run to close to within two (48-46) with 13:32 remaining.
• Siena remained in front, and built its lead back up to 10 points (67-57) with 5:25 left to play.
• The Crusaders responded once again, using a 14-3 spurt to claim their first lead of the night (71-70) on a layup by senior guard Joe Octave with 1:26 on the clock.
• But Giovanni Emejuru scored with just 18.9 seconds left to put the Saints back in front, and Holy Cross would not score again as Siena pulled up the victory.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• The Crusaders made 52.7 percent on their field goal attempts and 50.0 percent of their three-pointers on the night, but were only able to connect on 25.0 percent of their foul shots
• The Saints connected on 44.6 percent of their shots from the floor, 38.9 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent of their free throws.
• Freshman forward Joe Nugent (12 points) and freshman guard DeAndre Williams (11 points) both scored in double figures during their collegiate debuts.
• Michael Eley led Siena with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

UP NEXT:
• Holy Cross returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 11, when it travels to Georgetown for an 8 p.m. game. 
  
BE PART OF THE ACTION:
Season tickets for the 2023-2024 campaign start at just $125, and can be purchased online at GoHolyCross.com/tickets or by calling or texting 1-844-GOCROSS.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS:
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