Bucknell 74, Holy Cross 57

Feb 24, 2014, 02:30 pm

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Mike Muscala scored 25 points, including 10 during a 16-4 Bucknell run to start the second half, in a 74-57 victory over Holy Cross on Sunday.

Muscala made 11 of 16 shots for the Patriot League-leading Bison (23-5, 10-2), who clinched a top-two conference finish, guaranteeing them home court through at least the semifinals.

Bucknell never trailed and led by as many as 15 points in the first half before the Crusaders (11-16, 3-9) got within 31-24 at halftime.

Cameron Ayers added 15 points and Joe Willman 14 for Bucknell, which also defeated Holy Cross 65-28 on Jan. 26. Ayers made 4 of 5 from 3-point range.

Justin Burrell scored 16 points and Phil Beans 15 for Holy Cross, which was coming off a 79-76 loss to Lafayette in which it shot 67.4 percent, its best in 25 years. The Crusaders shot 41.5 percent (22 of 53) Sunday.