University Park, IL. The Holy Cross College men’s basketball team traveled to No. 16 Governors State University this evening for a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinal game. The Saints fell to the Jaguars 80-71. With the loss, men’s basketball finishes 19-13 on the year and 13-9 in the CCAC.
The first half opened with both sides fighting for a spot in the CCAC championship match with neither team able to take hold of the game for the first ten minutes. A Storm Cook three would give the Saints a 24-18 lead with eight minutes remaining in the half. Holy Cross would take a 40-32 lead heading into halftime. Storm Cook scored 14 points in the first half, while Robby Jimenez added nine points.
The Saints were unable to fend off the Jaguars run to start the second half, as Governors State would score on their first six possessions and tie the game up 49-49, five minutes into the half. After some back and forth baskets by both teams, Ja’Mare Washingtonwould tie the game again, 61-61, with eight minutes remaining. Governors State would go on a run late and take a 76-68 advantage, and were able to make free throws late to escape with the 80-71 win.
Storm Cook recorded a team-high 26 points while connecting on 4/8 from behind the arc. Robby Jimenez added 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Ja’Mare Washington scored 12 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Holy Cross shot 44% from the field and 39% from three.
Although the season has come to an end, several Saints are still up for all-conference and academic honors. Information regarding both will begin at the conclusion of the CCAC Championship.
