Jan. 12, 2002
Box Score
Audio From Post-Game Press Conference:
- Lafayette Coach Fran O'Hanlon
- Lafayette Guard Justin DeBerry '04
- Lafayette Center Mick Kuberka '02
- Holy Cross Coach Ralph Willard
- Holy Cross Guard Ryan Serravalle
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EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Led by 20 points from Justin DeBerry, the Lafayette men's basketball team defeated Patriot League preseason favorite Holy Cross, 64-58, on Saturday at Kirby Sports Center.
Lafayette (7-7, 1-1) took a 17-point lead in the first half, its largest of the game, off a DeBerry three-pointer for a 27-10 advantage at 7:25. Ryan Serravalle and Patrick Whearty rallied Holy Cross to go on a 13-3 run to trail 30-23 going into halftime.
The Crusaders (7-10, 1-1), defending Patriot League champions and the preseason favorite this year, fought back as Tim Szatko hit a jumper to tie the game at 40-40 with 8:47 left in the contest. The rally was not enough as Lafayette's DeBerry hit 3-of-3 from three-point land late in the second half to extend the 'Pards lead to 55-48 with 3:48 remaining. Lafayette's DeBerry, Andrew Pleick and Brian Burke sealed the win under the two-minute mark with 6-of-7 shooting from the charity stripe.
The Leopards were led by DeBerry with a career-high 20 points off 6-of-8 shooting from the floor including 5-of-6 from behind the arc. Leopards Ben Saxton and Andrew Pleick added 10 points apiece. Whearty paced Holy Cross with 16 points followed by Brian Wilson and Jave Meade with 10 points each.
The Lafayette defense, which leads the Patriot League in blocked shots, swatted away nine in the contest.
Lafayette returns to action on Jan. 16 at American.
