WORCESTER, Mass. – Freshman guard
Tristen Wilson recorded his first career double-double as the Holy Cross men's basketball team fell in their home opener 80-67 to non-conference opponent Furman Wednesday evening on Bob Cousy '50 Court in the Hart Center Arena.
Wilson, the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week stuffed the stat sheet for the Crusaders (0-3) with career-highs in points (20), rebounds (14), assists (5), and blocks (3) on 53.3 percent (8-of-15) shooting. Junior guard
Arius Alijosius was on fire from beyond-the-arc connecting on treys at a 55.6 percent (5-of-9) clip from deep to finish with 17 points to go with four boards and two steals in 24 minutes off the bench.
Furman (4-0) was led by Charles Johnston's 12 point and 10 rebound double-double.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Wilson drove through the paint and dished to senior guard John St. Germain III in the corner for three to pull his team within one 6-5 right before the media timeout. Wilson slashed and put home a bucket to bring the deficit back to one, 10-9. Freshman guard Jaelon Germany dished to a waiting junior forward Aidan Richard in the corner for a three ball making the score 16-14 Furman with 10:16 left in the half.
- Ahead by two, Furman used a 23-7 run to open up an 18 point, 39-21 lead with 1:49 to go in the stanza. Wilson blocked a shot attempt then scored on the offensive end to make it 39-23 with one minute on the clock. Alijosius drained a three at the buzzer as the Crusaders trailed 42-28 at the intermission.
- Trailing by 17, three straight three-pointers by Holy Cross, one from junior guard Kolen Hanson and two from Alijosius brought the deficit down to single figures, 47-39 at the first timeout of the second half. The Crusader run grew to 13-2 when Germany drilled a corner three trimming the deficit to six, 49-43. The guests dumped in eight straight to regain the multiple possession lead at 57-43. The Crusader three-point barrage continued when Alijosius and Wilson converted long range attempts making it 57-49. Alijosius fourth three of the second half with a steal to Wilson fast break layup put Holy Cross behind only by four, 58-54 which was part of an 11-1 Crusader run.
- A 12-2 Furman run pushed them back ahead 70-56 with 7:19 remaining. Their edge increased to 16 multiple times over the next few minutes. A pair of Germany freebies brought the margin down to 13 with 3:10 left, but the Crusaders could not make a run.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Crusaders made 10 three-pointers for the first time since Jan. 14, 2026 versus Army (14).
- Germany's 12 points were a career-high.
- Alijosius scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half and knocked down four of his five threes across the final 20.
- Holy Cross outscored Furman on the fast break 14-to-5.
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross remains at home to face off with UAlbany (2-2) on Sunday, Nov. 15 with tip-off set for 2 p.m.
- Single-game and season tickets for Holy Cross men's basketball are on sale through the Holy Cross Ticket Office.
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