WORCESTER, Mass. – Sophomore guard Will Batchelder led five players in double figures with 18 points, as the Holy Cross men's basketball team defeated Loyola (Md.) 86-78 at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders improve to 5-14 overall and 2-4 in the Patriot League, while the Greyhounds fall to 3-16 on the season and 1-5 in the conference.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Holy Cross made a season-best 56.5 percent of its field goal attempts and 52.6 percent of its three-pointers, in addition to committing a season-low four turnovers.
• Loyola connected on 53.7 percent of its shots from the floor and held a 35-22 rebounding advantage, but only hit 45.5 percent of its free throws.
• Junior forward Caleb Kenney totaled 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while senior guard Joe Octave tallied 14 points, two assists and two steals.
• Senior guard Bo Montgomery finished with 14 points and two rebounds, and freshman forward Joe Nugent added 12 points and four boards.
• The Greyhounds were led by Deon Perry with 26 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The game was close throughout a first half with featured seven ties and three lead changes. 
• The Crusaders led 19-13 with 10:53 left before the break, before Loyola used an 11-2 spurt to pull in front.
• The score was eventually tied 34-34 at halftime.
• Holy Cross was able to pull in front by eight (57-49) with 11:53 remaining in regulation, but the Greyhounds went on a 12-4 run to tie up the game at 61-61 with eight minutes left.
• The Crusaders were later up by four (78-84) at the two-minute mark, when Octave drained back-to-back three-pointers to make it a 10-point game (84-74).
• Loyola would get no closer than six the rest of the way, as Holy Cross pulled out an eight-point victory.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• The Crusaders' four turnovers were their fewest since giving the ball away only twice against Boston University on Dec. 31, 2014.

UP NEXT:
• Holy Cross returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 24, when it heads to American for a 7 p.m. game.

BE PART OF THE ACTION:
• Tickets to see the Crusaders in action can be purchased online at GoHolyCross.com/tickets or by calling or texting 1-844-GOCROSS.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS:
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross men's basketball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
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