Holy Cross beats Loyola (Md) 62-45

Mar 3, 2015, 09:16 pm

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Four Holy Cross players scored in double figures Tuesday and the Crusaders beat Loyola (Md) 62-45 in the first round of the Patriot League tournament, advancing to face No. 1 seed Bucknell on Thursday.

Matt Husek, Malcom Miller, Cullen Hamilton and Robert Champion scored 10 points apiece for the No.8-seeded Crusaders (14-15), who outshot the Greyhounds 51.1 percent to 31.6 percent. Justin Burrell had five assists and Taylor Abt blocked four shots.

Holy Cross opened with a 28-9 run capped by a 3-pointer by Champion and never trailed. Eric Laster scored 12 points, but the Greyhounds shot just 29.2 percent in the half and trailed 32-20 at intermission.

Husek scored consecutive layups and Holy Cross used an 18-12 second-half run to pull to a 50-32 lead, then used an 8-2 run to amass a 22-point lead.

Laster scored 14 points for the Greyhounds (11-19), who were outrebounded 41-29.