WORCESTER, MA -- Tim Szatko scored a game-high 18 points, including 11 in the second half to help lead Holy Cross to a 63-54 win over visiting American on Saturday afternoon. The loss dropped American back into a first-place tie in the Patriot League standing with Navy.
American (10-9, 4-2) jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, and held a 11-6 advantage 10 minutes into the contest. The first half was a low-scoring affair, which saw the teams combine for just 52 points.
A small 6-0 run late in the first half pushed the Eagles up by eight points (24-16) with 2:02 to play in the first half. That run was keyed by a three-pointer by Andres Rodriguez and an old-fashioned three-point play by Patrick Doctor.
Holy Cross (9-12, 3-3 PL) responded though, and used a last-second three by Szatko to get within four (28-24) heading into the half.
American shot 50 percent from the field (10-of-20) in the opening period, including five-of-10 from three-point range.
After a jumper by Steven Miles to open the second half, Holy Cross went on a 14-4 run to go up 38-34 with 15:03 to play in the contest. American held its ground, and eventually tied the game on a jumper by Nick Boyd with 10:45 left.
The Crusaders went back up by six, and led 57-51 with 2:29 to play. A jumper by Rodriguez, and a free throw by Doctor sliced the margin to three with 1:35 to play, but American would get no closer as two turnovers down the stretch proved costly.
Holy Cross went a perfect six-of-six from the line in the final minute to seal the win.
Vladimir Buscaglia joined Doctor in double figures with 11 points off the bench, including three three-pointers.
Ryan Serravalle had 13 points for Holy Cross, while Brian Wilson added 11.
American returns home to the friendly confines of Bender Arena next week for a two-game homestand. The Eagles host Navy on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 7:00 p.m. That game will be televised live locally by Comcast SportsNet.
The Eagles then move to the second half of the Patriot League schedule by hosting Colgate on Saturday, Feb. 2, in a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.
GAME NOTES - American remains tied atop the Patriot League standings with Navy ... the loss was just the second this season when the Eagles led at the half ... the other came against Lafayette on Jan. 16 ... this was the second meeting all-time between the schools and first since the 1967-68 season when Holy Cross won, 81-57 in Washington, DC.
