Holy Cross Rolls Nichols, 101-70, Improves to 3-0

Monday, November 24, 2014

GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

Cullen Hamilton

The Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team improved to 3-0 on the season after beating the (1-2) Nichols Bison 101-70 on Saturday evening at The Hart Center.

The Crusaders had four players in double figures in the game who were all led by junior guard, Cullen Hamilton, who knocked down six of his nine shots for 16 points. Malcolm Miller and Eric Green added 14 points, while Anthony Thompson had ten points and seven assists to round out the four Crusaders in double figures.

Holy Cross led Nichols 33-29 with just under six minutes to play in the half, but then proceeded to end the half on a 27-9 run to take a 60-38 lead into the locker room, and then they cruised through the second half to the win.

The Crusaders next travel to Syracuse to take on the Orange on Friday night, November 28. Tip off is set for 7.pm.

Below are five takeaways from the Holy Cross win.

Related Slideshow: Five Takeaways from Holy Cross’s 101-70 Win Over Nichols

The Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team improved to 3-0 on the season after beating the (1-2) Nichols Bison 101-70 on Saturday evening at The Hart Center.

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Bench Points

The numbers are a bit skewed because of the blowout win ,however, the Crusaders had 51 bench points in this game.

Cullen Hamilton had 16 of them but Malachi Alexander and Robert Champion added nine points each, while Mitchell Hahn added eight.

For the bench players, this game could serve as a huge boost of confidence for the rest of the season. If the bench players can come in and produce on a regular basis, the Crusaders will be that much better.

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Putting the game away

The game looked like it was going to be a close one going into the second half. The Crusaders were up 33-29 with just over five minutes to play in the half, letting Nichols hang around.

But in the last few minutes, the Crusaders turned on the after burners and ended the half on a 27-9 run to put the game just about out of reach heading into the locker room.

Holy Cross led 60-38 at the half and then cruised in the second half.

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Hot Shooting at home

The Crusaders continued their hot shooting at home, knocking down 57 percent of their shots in this game. In the previous game against Brown, they drilled 50 percent of their shots.

The high shooting percentage in this game can, in part, be attributed to the 50 points in the paint Holy Cross had in this game.

They went inside and got easier looks instead of settling for tough or contested jumps shots.

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Defense to offense

The Crusaders have been playing some pesky defense over the last couple of games, and it continued tonight. Holy Cross defenders forced 13 steals and a total of 18 turnovers in the game against Nichols.

The Crusaders then took those turnovers and turned them into 26 points on the other side of the floor.

Holy Cross had 15 steals and forced 23 turnovers against Brown in their previous game.

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Spreading the wealth

Junior Cullen Hamilton led the Holy Cross Crusaders with 16 points on six of nine shooting in the game. However, the Crusaders had three other players in double figures in the game.

Malcolm Miller and Eric Green added 14 points while Anthony Thompson had ten points and seven assists to round out the four Crusaders in double figures.

Holy Cross had 19 assists on 39 made shots. Sophomore Anthony Thompson had seven of those assists.