WASHINGTON, D.C. — Freshman guard Max Green totaled 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, but the Holy Cross men's basketball team was defeated by American 75-64 at Bender Arena. The Crusaders fall to 9-6 on the year and 1-1 in the Patriot League, while the Eagles improve to 7-8 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Holy Cross held a 32-24 rebounding advantage, but only hit 42.1 percent of its field goal attempts and 36.0 percent of its three-pointers. 
• American was able to connect on 50.0 percent of its shots from the floor and 50.0 percent of its attempts from three-point range, while holding a 17-10 advantage in free throw attempts.
• Sophomore guard Joe Nugent finished the day with 19 points and six rebounds, while senior forward Caleb Kenney added 14 points and three boards.
• Matt Rogers led the Eagles with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Crusaders opened the game by jumping out to an early 8-3 lead after the first 3:36 of action.
• Holy Cross was still up by four (19-15) at the 10-minute mark, before American scored five straight points to pull in front.
• The Eagles eventually led 30-26 heading into the locker room.
• The Crusaders regained the lead early in the second half (33-32), when American used a 13-2 spurt to go up by seven (42-35).
• The Eagles increased their advantage to 11 (50-39) with 12:31 left to play, before Holy Cross scored 11 straight points to tie up the game at 50-50.
• But American scored the next seven points, and the Crusaders would get no closer than four points the rest of the way as the Eagles pulled out the win. 

UP NEXT:
• Holy Cross returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 8, when it plays host to Navy at 6 p.m.

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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