The Holy Cross College Saints faced a tough opponent in the Governors State Jaguars on Wednesday evening, ultimately falling 59-81. Despite a strong effort, the Saints couldn’t recover from a challenging first half, where they trailed 31-45.
First Half
The Holy Cross College men’s basketball team faced a challenging start in their matchup against the Governors State Jaguars, trailing 31-45 at halftime. Despite flashes of strong individual performances, the Saints struggled to match the Jaguars’ offensive efficiency. Joey Garwood (Elkhart, IN / Penn HS) led the team with an impressive 15 points, shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. His scoring provided a much-needed spark, but the team struggled to build momentum. Justin O’Neal (Dayton, OH / Dunbar HS) contributed 4 points and 2 rebounds in 14 minutes but faced defensive pressure that limited his shot opportunities. Nash Hostetler showed consistency at the line, going 2-of-3 in free throws, finishing the half with 6 points and 2 rebounds.
Second Half
The Saints worked to close the gap in the second half but were limited offensively, scoring just 28 points while the Jaguars extended their lead. Shooting struggles and defensive lapses proved costly, as the Jaguars maintained control of the game. Nash Hostetler (Dublin, OH / Dublin Coffman HS) a consistent presence, Hostetler tallied 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds while going 3-of-4 from the field. Justin O’Neal played 16 minutes in the second half, adding 4 points and pulling down 3 rebounds. Joey Garwood: Scored 6 points, including 2 three-pointers, but saw limited opportunities in the second half. Aris Duni (Thessaloniki, Greece / Cardinal Stritch) contributed 3 points and showcased his ability at the free-throw line, going 3-of-4. The Saints look to regroup and make adjustments as they prepare for their next matchup. The Saints fell 59-81 to the Jaguars.
GAME DETAILS:
- Score: Holy Cross 59, Governors State 81
- Records:Â Holy Cross (7-9) | Governors State(8-9)
- Location: Governors State University (IL)
SCORING SUMMARY:
- Joey Garwood: 21 points (8-16 FG, 5-9 3PM), 3 rebounds
- Nash Hostetler: 13 points (5-7 FG), 6 rebound
- Justin O’Neal: 8 points (4-14 FG), 5 rebounds
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- Holy Cross shot 30.4% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range
- Governors State shot 50.8% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range
- Rebounds: Governors State 45, Holy Cross 42
- Turnovers: Holy Cross 8, Governors State 4
NEXT TIME OUT:
The Saints will take on Viterbo away on January 18th, tip-off is set for 4:00PM EST.
The Saints will take on Viterbo away on January 18th, tip-off is set for 4:00PM EST.