Notre Dame, IN. The Holy Cross College men’s basketball team faced St. Ambrose University this afternoon at McKenna Arena. The Saints defeated the fighting Bees 70-59. With the win, men’s basketball stands at 12-8 overall and 6-4 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Holy Cross jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead with a Robby Jimenez three pointer. The momentum would continue, as the Saints extended their lead to 21-11, after a Jordan Gaines pull up jumper midway through the first half. The Bees would make a run of their own late in the half, but another Gaines jumper would give the Saints a 30-20 lead going into halftime. Jordan Gaines recorded eight points in the half, while Ja’Mare Washingtonadded four rebounds and Nate Miller dished out three assists.
A strong drive and layup by Travon Brackett would build on the Saints lead to start the second half, but the Bees would battle back and cut the lead to 50-47 with ten minutes to play. Both teams would exchange baskets for the next five minutes, until Robby Jimenez hit back-to-back three pointers to give the Saints a 68-51 lead with four minutes to play. The Holy Cross defense was too much for the Fighting Bees, as they would go on to win 70-59.
The Saints had five players score in double digits, with Freshman Jordan Gaines having a team-high 14 points. Storm Cook and Robby Jimenezeach added 12 points, while Ja’Mare Washington recorded a double-double with 12 points and a team-high 15 rebounds. Senior Travon Brackettadded 10 points. Holy Cross shot 47% from the field and 40% from behind the arc. The Saints won the turnover battle committing only nine TO’s to the Bees’ 18 turnovers.
Men’s basketball will be back in CCAC action when they travel to Governors State University next Wednesday in an 8:00pm tipoff.