WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior forward Gerrale Gates totaled 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Army West Point 80-65 at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders conclude the regular season at 10-21 overall and 7-11 in the Patriot League, while Black Knights improve to 16-15 on the year and 10-8 in the conference.

Holy Cross made just 45.2 percent of its field goal attempts, 23.1 percent of its three-pointers and 50.0 percent of its free throws on the day. Army was able to connect on 47.8 percent of its shots from the floor and 36.4 percent of its three-pointers, while committing just seven turnovers.

The Black Knights opened the game by jumping out to an 18-7 lead after the first 6:08 of action. The Crusaders scored the next six points to narrow the gap, and went on to make it a one-point game (30-29) with 3:34 remaining in the first half. Army eventually took a 35-31 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Holy Cross scored the first four points of the second half to tie the game at 39-39, and later trailed by just two (43-41) with 15 minutes left to play. The Black Knights then used a 17-6 run to take a commanding 60-47 lead. The Crusaders would get no closer than nine points the rest of the way, as Army went on to post a 15-point victory.

Junior guard Joe Octave finished the game with 13 points and seven rebounds, while junior guard Bo Montgomery added 11 points and six boards. The Black Knights were led by Chris Mann with 18 points and eight rebounds. 

Holy Cross will return to action when it plays at Loyola (Md.) in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 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 2022-2023 season were honored in a pregame ceremony.
• Gates was recognized, along with team manager Lily Taylor.

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