BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Holy Cross men's basketball team erased an early deficit and battled for a 69-66 overtime win over Lehigh on Saturday, Jan. 13. 

The Mountain Hawks (4-11,1-3 Patriot League) jumped out to a 12-point lead early in the first half before the Crusaders (4-13,1-3 PL) rallied to take the lead going into halftime. Though Holy Cross led for the majority of the second half, Lehigh made a late push to tie the game and force overtime. Freshman Joe Nugent's 3-pointer with 51 seconds left in overtime gave Holy Cross the lead for good, though, and the Crusaders held on for their first conference win of the season. 

Senior Joe Octave had a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds, and junior Caleb Kenney finished with 13 points and nine boards. Freshman A.J. Wills scored 12 points, adding four assists and a pair of steals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Lehigh stormed out to a 12-2 lead with 12:40 left in the first. After a jumper by senior Bo Montgomery, the Mountain Hawks pushed their advantage to 12 points after back-to-back baskets, but Nugent sunk a three to bring Holy Cross within 16-7 with 9:39 left. 
• That was the start of an 18-4 run for the Crusaders to close out the first half — capped by a dunk from Kenney and three free throws from Montgomery — giving Holy Cross a 22-20 lead heading into halftime.
• Out of the half, the Crusaders continued to hold their lead, building a 33-28 edge after a jumper from sophomore Will Batchelder with 14:05 left. Lehigh responded with six unanswered points to take the lead back before Kenney and freshman Declan Ryan gave the Crusaders the lead back.
• Holy Cross led by as much as 11 in the second half, with Batchelder's 3-pointer making it a 58-47 game with three minutes left. Lehigh managed to claw its way back, ultimately tying the game at 60-60 with 38 seconds to go after drawing a foul on a made three-pointer and converting on the four-point play.
• Wills had a deep two to give the Crusaders a 62-60 lead with 12 seconds remaining in regulation. On the other end, Nasir Whitlock drove in to tie the game for the Mountain Hawks with five seconds remaining; Holy Cross' buzzer-beater attempt came up short.
• Lehigh took a 65-62 lead with 1:47 left in the extra frame before Octave's jumper cut the advantage to just one point. Nugent's corner three gave Holy Cross the lead for good with 51 seconds to go, and a pair of free throws by Octave sealed the win. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 

• Wills' 12 points were a collegiate high for the rookie, while his four assists tied his season best. 
• Kenney has scored in double figures in each of the last six games. Octave has scored double-digit points in eight of his last 10 contests. 

UP NEXT: 

• The Crusaders return home on Wednesday, Jan. 17 for a matchup vs. Lafayette. 
• Tipoff at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex is set for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the Holy Cross Ticket Office.

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