WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior guard Joe Octave totaled 20 points, six rebounds and three steals, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Lehigh 78-72 at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. The Crusaders fall to 5-16 overall and 2-6 in the Patriot League, while the Mountain Hawks improve to 6-13 on the season and 3-5 in the conference.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Holy Cross hit 45.6 percent of its field goal attempts and 35.0 percent of its three-pointers on the afternoon.
• Lehigh was able to connect on 48.2 percent of its shots from the floor and 30.0 percent of its three-pointers, while holding a 42-30 rebounding advantage.
• Junior forward Caleb Kenney totaled 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, while freshman forward Joe Nugent and freshman guard A.J. Wills added nine points each.
• The Mountain Hawks were led by Burke Chebuhar with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The game was close throughout a first half with featured four ties and six lead changes. 
• Holy Cross was able to jump out to an early 20-12 advantage, before Lehigh went on a 23-9 run to go in front by six (35-29).
• The score was eventually tied 38-38 heading into the locker room.
• The game remained close early in the second half, before the Mountain Hawks used a 9-0 spurt to go in front by five (51-46) with 12 minutes left to play.
• The Crusaders responded with a 13-6 run to pull back in front, and were later up 70-66 with 3:43 remaining.
• But Lehigh would close out the game with a 12-2 spurt down the stretch to pull out the victory.

UP NEXT:
• Holy Cross returns to action on Monday, Jan. 29, when it plays host to Boston University at 7 p.m. in the second half of a nationally televised doubleheader with the Crusader women.

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!
Twitter - @HCrossMBB | @goholycross
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