WORCESTER, Mass. — Freshman guard Max Green hit a 14-foot jumper in the lane with 27.7 seconds remaining, to give the Holy Cross men's basketball team the lead for good as it posted a 74-72 victory over Loyola (Md.) at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. Green finished the night with 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists. The Crusaders improve to 9-5 on the year and 1-0 in the Patriot League with the win, while the Greyhounds fall to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The game was close throughout a first half that featured four ties and seven lead changes.
• Neither team led by more than six points, before Loyola took a 36-33 advantage into the locker room.
• The Greyhounds started the second half with a quick 7-0 run to go up by 10 (43-33), and later held a 51-41 lead with 13:48 remaining.
• Holy Cross then used a 13-2 spurt to pull in front, claiming the lead on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Joe Nugent.
• The score stayed close the rest of the way, and Loyola held a 72-69 edge with two minutes to play. 
• Senior forward Caleb Kenney hit a key shot with 1:11 left to make the score 72-71, before Green's jumper gave the Crusaders the lead.
• Nugent added a free throw in the closing seconds to give Holy Cross a two-point victory, as the Greyhounds were held without a point for the final 3:04.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• The Crusaders made 50.0 percent of their field goal attempts and 47.8 percent of their three-pointers on the night, while committing just nine turnovers.
• Loyola held a 37-30 rebounding advantage, but made just 40.0 percent of its shots from the floor.
• Freshman forward Aidan Richard led Holy Cross with 18 points, while hitting six of eight shots from three-point range.
• Kenney added 12 points and six rebounds, while Nugent finished with 11 points and six boards.
• Jordan Stiemke scored 19 points for Loyola, with Milos Ilic posting 14 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• The Crusaders improve to 19-16 all-time in Patriot League openers, and 20-15 in league home openers.
• Holy Cross now stands 16-12 all-time against the Greyhounds with three straight wins.

UP NEXT:
• The Crusaders return to action on Sunday, Jan. 5, when they travel to American for a 2 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.
  
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