WORCESTER, Mass. -- Robert Champion scored 17 points and Holy Cross avoided its first three-game losing streak since November with a 56-50 win over Colgate on Wednesday night.

The Crusaders opened the year with consecutive losses to South Carolina, Syracuse, and UMass.

The game was a defensive battle the entire way. Neither team topped 40 percent shooting, and they combined to make just 33 total field goals.

Matt Husek finished with 11 points for Holy Cross (12-12, 6-5 Patriot League), which finished with a plus-six (14-8) advantage at the free throw line while forcing 19 Raiders turnovers and limiting themselves to 10.

The Crusaders took the lead for good on an Anthony Thomas layup, which made it 41-40 with 7:37 left. A Champion layup with 3:55 to go made it 51-43 and Holy Cross kept Colgate at bay from there.

Jordan Swopshire scored 17 points for the Raiders (7-17, 5-6).