WORCESTER, Mass. – Freshman forward Aiden Disu scored a career-high 19 points and came down with a game and personal-best eight rebounds as the Holy Cross men's basketball team fell by a 73-69 score to nonconference opponent Siena Monday evening in the Hart Center Arena.

The loss was the sixth of the season for the Crusaders while the win moved the Saints to 4-2 overall.

Disu was 7-for-11 (63.6 percent) from the floor going 1-for-2 (50.0 percent) from three-point range and a perfect 4-for-4 (100.0 percent) at the stripe. He added two assists and a blocked shot as well. Sophomore guard Tyler Boston (10 points) and junior guard/forward Gabe Warren (10 points) joined Disu in double-figures.

Siena was paced by Justice Shoats' game-best 22 points with five assists and four rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Disu posted up a defender on the block for a post score and the 4-2 Holy Cross lead early in the contest. The teams kept swapping points as no team led by more than four midway through the first half.
• After a media timeout, Disu hit a pair of free throws making it a one point 22-21 deficit with under seven minutes to play. Siena knocked down a transition three for the first multiple possession lead at 29-23 at the 5:24 mark. Boston intercepted a pass and he fed Warren for the layup keeping the deficit one, 31-30. Down five, the Crusaders posted seven straight markers with Disu giving the Crusaders the lead 39-37. Siena buried a pair of free throws to tie the game 39 all at the intermission.
• Disu drained a triple from the top of the point for the 44-43 Crusader lead early in the second half. Siena led by three, however the Crusaders chipped back into the lead at 49-47 when sophomore forward Aidan Richard found Boston in the corner for a three-pointer with 15:23 left. Junior guard DeAndre Williams dished to classmate, forward Declan Ryan on the left block for an easy post score and the 51-49 Crusader lead. Junior guard John St. Germain III saved the ball from the sideline and was awarded with a layup for the 53-49 Holy Cross edge.
• Siena leaped back into the lead thanks to a 10-2 run 59-55. Late in the game down four, two Disu buckets with a Boston and Richard three tied the game 67-67 with 2:23 left. The Saints made only their second three of the game to regain the lead, 70-67. Nugent had a fadeaway with 28 seconds left pulling their team within one, 70-69, but the guests countered quickly and escaped with the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Nugent needs one more three-pointer to move to fifth place on the program's all-time list to pass Austin Butler (158, 2017-21) and 65 more to become the program's all-time leader.
• Holy Cross had their first blocked shot since the opening game against Providence.
• The Crusaders held the edge in points off turnovers, 13-to-10.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross remains in the Hart Center Arena on Wednesday, Nov 26 as they take on Worcester State (1-3) at 2 p.m.
• Fans who wish to attend the game can bring two or more food items to benefit the Worcester East Food Pantry. After you make the two or more food items donation, you will receive a free ticket to the Holy Cross vs. Worcester State game and be entered to win courtside seats to an upcoming Holy Cross men's basketball game.
• Season and single-game tickets for Holy Cross men's basketball are on sale through the Holy Cross Ticket Office.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS:
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