LEWISBURG, Pa. – Senior guard Joe Octave totaled 17 points, four rebounds and two assists, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by Bucknell 70-58 at Sojka Pavilion. The Crusaders fall to 3-11 overall and 0-1 in the Patriot League, while the Bison improve to 4-10 on the season and 1-0 in the conference.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The game was close throughout a first half which featured six ties and five lead changes.
• Holy Cross opened the night with an early 7-2 edge, before Bucknell responded with a 9-2 run to pull in front by two (11-9). 
• The Crusaders scored the next six points to regain the lead, and were later up 20-19 with a minute left in the first half.
• The Bison then scored four consecutive points to take a three-point lead (23-20) into the locker room.
• Bucknell started the second half on fire, hitting nine of its first 12 shots to take a 48-30 advantage with 12:14 remaining.
• The Bison were still up by 16 (56-40), when Holy Cross scored nine straight points to cut the deficit to nine (56-47) with six minutes to go.
• But that was as close as the Crusaders would get down the stretch, as Bucknell eventually posted a 12-point victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Holy Cross made just 41.5 percent of its field goal attempts and 50.0 percent of its foul shots on the night, while committing 15 turnovers.
• The Bison only connected on 38.3 percent of their shots from the floor, but made 83.3 percent of their free throws while only committing six turnovers.
• Junior forward Caleb Kenney finished the game with 16 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals.
• Josh Bascoe led Bucknell with 21 points.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Crusaders will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 6, when they head to Army West Point for a 1 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!
Twitter - @HCrossMBB | @goholycross
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