UNCASVILLE, CT – Jacob Grandison scored 10 of his game-high 24 points during a decisive 14-0 second half run for Holy Cross which defeated Siena Basketball 57-45 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Springfield Bracket Championship Game at Mohegan Sun Arena. All-Tournament Team selection Evan Fisher led the Saints with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Grandison shot 6-10 from three for Holy Cross (3-2) in a game where neither team made a free throw, while combining for just three total attempts. Austin Butler contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds to go along with five assists for the Crusaders which shot 58% from the field in the second half.

Freshmen Jalen Pickett and Sloan Seymour scored eight points apiece for Siena (2-2) which was held to just 5-24 (20.8%) from three after entering play ranked ninth nationally averaging 12.5 makes per game. Kevin Degnan chipped in six points and five rebounds for the Saints which failed to make a free throw for the first time since going 0-5 from the charity stripe on Dec. 10, 2000 at Marist.

Both teams shot under 40% in the first half, with Holy Cross claiming a 25-22 lead at the break. Siena opened the second half on a 10-2 spurt to claim a 32-27 advantage with 17:08 remaining, before the Crusaders embarked upon their decisive run. Grandison capped the spurt with consecutive threes to put Holy Cross back in front 41-32 with 12:31 remaining.

The Saints never got any closer than seven points the rest of the way as the Crusaders picked up just their second victory in the last nine meetings between the programs. Siena will have a rare opportunity for redemption however, as the teams are set to meet in a second non-conference matchup Dec. 22 at in Worcester.

The Saints will play a total of four games against Patriot League opponents this season – and continue a stretch where they play three straight from the conference – when they host the league's preseason favorite Lehigh in the home opener Wednesday. Game time is set for a special 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve tip.