WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senior guard Joe Octave totaled 23 points and nine rebounds, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by American 84-65 at Bender Arena. The Crusaders fall to 5-15 overall and 2-5 in the Patriot League, while the Eagles improve to 11-9 on the season and 5-2 in the conference.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Holy Cross hit 48.0 percent of its field goal attempts and 43.8 percent of its three-pointers on the night, but was unable to overcome 16 turnovers.
• American made 51.8 percent of its shots from the floor and 84.2 percent of its free throws, while holding a 31-25 rebounding advantage.
• Junior forward Caleb Kenney finished the game with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists, while freshman guard DeAndre Williams added nine points, four boards and two steals.
• Elijah Stephens led the Eagles with 19 points, six assists and five steals.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• American started the game hot, jumping out to an early 23-7 lead after the first nine minutes of action.
• The Eagles were later up by 17 (28-11), when the Crusaders went on a 16-2 run to get back into the game.
• American eventually held a 39-32 advantage at halftime.
• The score stayed close early in the second half, and Holy Cross trailed by just four (44-40) with 16 minutes left to play.
• The Eagles then used a 13-4 to extend their lead to double figures (57-44) with 10:33 to go.
• The Crusaders would get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way, as American pulled away down the stretch to win by 19.

UP NEXT:
• Holy Cross returns home to face Lehigh on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 12 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network.

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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