TIGERS UNABLE TO HOLD ON TO DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD IN LOSS AT HCC

NOTRE DAME, Ind. –  The Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team was outscored 45-34 in the second half in falling to the Holy Cross Saints 76-71 Wednesday evening in McKenna Arena.

A strong first half resulted in a six-point advantage for ONU at the break. And a 10-0 run, capped off by eight consecutive points from Tyler Curl, gave the Tigers a 12-point lead at 55-43 with 10:51 remaining in the game.

But that was where the offense stagnated, with the Tigers going scoreless over the next four minutes of game time. This allowed Holy Cross (6-8, 3-4 CCAC) to claw their way back into the game, eventually claiming the lead with 13 unanswered points.

Caleb Corro snapped the scoring drought with a 3-pointer to put the Tigers back in front, but it was short-lived as the Saints quickly jumped back in front with consecutive layups to reclaim the advantage.

The Tigers were able to tie the game at 60-60 on a Corro jumper, but Holy Cross responded with four straight points to take a lead they would hold on to for the remainder of the game.

Corro led ONU with another 20-point effort, finishing with 21 on 9-of-17 shooting with three triples. He was one of four Tigers in double figures. Daniel Murphy scored 17 points on an efficient 8-of-9 shooting performance. Curl chipped in 13 off the bench and Caleb Swearingen finished with 12.

ONU will look to get back in the win column when they host Governors State Saturday.

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu