WORCESTER, Mass. – Freshman guard
Tristen Wilson posted his second straight double-double as the Holy Cross men's basketball team suffered a 62-60 defeat at the hands to non-conference opponent UAlbany Sunday afternoon on Bob Cousy '50 Court in the Hart Center Arena.
Holy Cross (0-4) took their first and only lead 60-59 with 44 seconds to go as junior guard
Kole Hanson picked off a sideline out of bounds play and went to the rack for an easy two. UAlbany's (3-2) Tyler Jones countered on the next possession with a strong take off the glass for the one point edge 61-60.
The Crusaders held the ball for the last possession and was fouled, but did not convert freebies at the line. Forced to foul, Holy Cross got the ball back down 62-60 and had to make a full half court pass with 2.9 seconds left. The ball was tipped and found the hands of junior guard
Arius Alijosius. He had a look from the top of the point from deep, but the shot was just off the mark as the Great Danes escaped with the win.
Wilson, the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week had a 12 point and career-high 19 rebound double-double with two steals and two assists. Hanson was 8-of-18 (44.4 percent) from the field with a season-best 18 markers.
Jones paced UAlbany with 30 points on 14-of-25 (56.0 percent) shooting with four boards, an assist and a steal.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Wilson was able to get some tough buckets to help chip at the deficit, 7-5 2:55 into the game. Sophomore forward Elijah Flowers produced a loud putback dunk pull the Crusaders within five 19-14. A UAlbany three put them ahead 22-14 at the second media timeout.
- The Great Danes lead expanded to a first half high nine, 25-14. Alijosius drilled a three-ball part of a 12-6 Crusader stretch as the trimmed the deficit to three, 30-27 following a Wilson layup with 4:18 left. The teams continue to trade baskets as UAlbany was in front 35-31 at the intermission.
- The Great Danes get off to another quick start to the half with an 11-4 run to lead 46-35 with 15:43 to go. Alijosius hit a corner three assisted by senior guard John St. Germain III to cut the Great Dane lead back to five, 48-43.
- Down seven with 3:03 to play, the Crusaders began to mount a comeback scoring eight straight points to lead 60-59 off the Hanson steal and score.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Wilson was one rebound shy of having the first 20+ rebound game for the Crusaders since Stan Grayson (22) at Georgetown on Feb. 24, 1971. His 19 rebound also tied the Hart Center Arena record (Josh Sankes, Holy Cross (vs. Army, 1/30/2000); Nate Lufkin, Holy Cross (vs. Lafayette, 2/6/2002))
- Freshman guard Jaelon Germany made his first collegiate start and matching his career-high with 12 points.
- 16 of Wilson's 19 rebounds came in the second half.
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross remains at home to continue their four game home stand when they battle Brown (1-4, 0-0 IVY) on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 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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