The Saints battled hard in the first half but found themselves trailing 37-31 at the break. Justin O’Neal (Dayton, OH / Dunbar HS) led the charge with 14 points, including two three-pointers, showcasing his offensive skills. Joey Garwood (Elkhart, IN / Penn HS) added 10 points, going 4-for-8 from the field and hitting two shots from beyond the arc. Aris Duni (Thessaloniki, Greece / Cardinal Stritch)  gained four rebounds, while Davide Brembilla (Alghero, Italy / Don Bosco Prep) contributed three points and two steals off the bench.

The Saints turned on the intensity for the second half, staying within striking distance as they trailed by no more than five points for most of the period. Holy Cross scored 45 points on 53% shooting to close out the game strong. Justin O’Neal continued to lead the charge with 10 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. AJ Roseman (Indianapolis, IN / Bishop Chatard HS) came alive with 10 points as well. Joey Garwood added another 10 points, converting 6 of his 7 free throws to keep the Saints ahead. Davide Brembilla provided another spark off the bench with 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting, while Nash Hostetler (Dublin, OH / Dublin Coffman HS) contributed 3 points and solid rebounding. Despite their persistence, the Saints struggled to gain the upper hand until the final five minutes, where their grit and execution set the stage for a thrilling finish.

With seven minutes remaining in the game, senior Justin O’Neal reached a major milestone, becoming the latest member of the 1,000-point club. The accomplished guard hit a smooth jumper to mark the achievement. O’Neal’s scoring ability has been a cornerstone of the team’s success, and this milestone is a testament to his consistent contributions throughout his collegiate career.

GAME DETAILS:

SCORING SUMMARY:

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

NEXT TIME OUT:
The Saints will take on Judson University away on January 11th, tip-off is set for 4:00PM EST.