Crusaders’ Season Ends In CIT Thriller
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Malcolm Miller led the way for the Crusaders by tying a game-high with 18 points. Miller also pulled down seven rebounds and blocked three shots. The Bulldogs got a game-high tying 18 points from Sophomore forward Justin Sears. Sears also blocked a game-high five shots, locking down the paint and helping secure the victory.
The first half of the game was truly a half of runs. The most notable run of the half came from Holy Cross, as they rattled off a late 12-2 run and took their largest lead of the night at 34-26. Yale then went on a 5-0 run to end the half trailing by just three, 34-31. Miller and Freshman guard Anthony Thomas dominated the first half, combining for 14 points.
The second half did not start the way the Crusaders wanted, s Yale started the half on an 11-2 run with Justin Sears asserting himself all over the court. After Holy Cross cut the deficit back to just two (42-40), the Bulldogs offense came alive again. This time to the tune of a 12-5 run. But just when things looked bleak for the Crusaders, they leaned on Miller and Dave Dudzinski. The two combined for 19 second-half points, allowing the Crusaders to get back into the game.
The game, once again, came down to the final minutes for Holy Cross. The Crusaders took a late lead off a pair of Anthony Thompson free throws, making it 66-65. But that would be it for Holy Cross. Yale's Armani Cotton hit a huge three-pointer with 1:13 left, giving the Bulldogs a 68-66 lead. The Crusaders had three chances to tie the game on the following possession with Justin Burrell missing a three pointer and Thompson missing a pair of shots before Yale forced an Eric Green turnover.
After a Matt Townsend free throw, the Bulldogs led 69-66, giving the Crusaders one final chance to tie the game. The game-tying attempt went to Malcolm Miller, but he could not connect and the Bulldogs came away with the victory.
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