WORCESTER, MA – Holy Cross capitalized on a decisive 17-2 second half run and
Jalen Pickett's heavily contested look at the potential game-tying three in the final seconds was off the mark as the Crusaders rallied past Siena Basketball 60-57 at the Hart Center.
Evan Fisher posted 17 points and nine rebounds for the shorthanded Saints who were without key rotational players
Manny Camper and
Sammy Friday IV.
Kevin Degnan scored his only basket – a clutch, go-ahead three with 2:17 to play – to put Siena (4-8) back in front for the final time at 57-56 with 2:17 remaining. But Austin Butler responded with what proved to be the game-winning basket with 75 seconds to go for Holy Cross (8-4), and Caleb Green added the final margin on a layup with 23 seconds left.
The Crusaders purposely fouled the Saints three times in the waning seconds to send Pickett to the line for a one-and-one. Pickett missed the front end, however Siena back-tapped out the offensive rebound. The Saints got one final look, but Pickett's off-balance three from the left wing went wide as Holy Cross hung on.
Butler scored a game-high 18 points for the Crusaders which have won seven of nine. Jehyve Floyd and Jacob Grandison added 14 points apiece for Holy Cross which shot 61% in the second half and 54% overall for the game.
Pickett tallied 14 points and dished out eight assists for Siena which shot 67% (14-21) from inside the arc, but was just 9-33 (27.3%) from three.
Jimmy Ratliff added 11 points off the bench for the Saints which held a 17-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
Siena finished the first half strong, reeling off a late 16-3 run before claiming a 31-26 lead at the break. The Saints built as much as a 10-point cushion on three different occasions in the second half, the final of which made it 47-37 with 11:48 to play. However, the Crusaders scored on seven of their next eight possessions to reclaim a 54-49 lead with 6:39 remaining.
Green added 12 points for Holy Cross which held a 39-18 margin in points in the paint.
Siena will have a week off for the holidays before returning to action to host Cal Poly in their non-conference finale next Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Times Union Center.
