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Monday, March 05, 2007
Holy Cross deflects American upset bid
Ralph Willard preaches defense from the gospel of deflections. His team got a huge one Sunday to seal its semifinals win over American.

Down two with 4.8 seconds to play, American had plenty of time to get the ball up the floor for a potential game-winning three or a two to send it to overtime. But after Holy Cross guard Pat Doherty deflected the Eagles inbounds pass, AU had to settle for a Brayden Billbe desperation heave from the backcourt. Like American's upset bid, Billbe's shot came up short, giving Holy Cross a 55-53 semifinals win and a berth in the Patriot League championship game opposite Bucknell for the third year in a row.

It was the third time this season American (16-14) could not hold a lead against the Crusaders (24-8). Up 26-21 at the half, the Eagles extended their margin to 31-23 in the first two minutes of the second half.

Holy Cross battled back, seemingly taking control with a 9-0 run after the game was tied at 40-40. But American would not go quiet, tying it at 53-53 on an Andre Ingram three with 29 seconds to play.

Patriot League Player of the Year Keith Simmons, held to 3 points and just three shots in the first half, and playing with four fouls the last 6:36 of the game, scored the game-winner on a driving runner from five feet with 4.8 seconds to go, setting the stage for Doherty's key deflection.

Willard says he learned long ago his team will win most games if it gets 40 deflections and shoots 40 percent. Deflections don't show up in the box score -- it's a stat the HC staff keeps itself on the bench. But the Crusaders overcame an icy 8 for 28 first half (28.6 percent) to finish the game hitting 41.7 percent (20 of 48) from the field by shooting at a 60 percent clip (12 of 20) in the second.

Credit center Tim Clifford for keeping the Crusaders in the game in the first 20 minutes. Clifford was 5 for 9 from the field the first half, scoring 11 of the 'Saders 21 points. No other HC player had more than one bucket in the opening stanza.

Clifford finished with a typical Big Purple Dog vs. AU showing -- 19 points and 8 rebounds. Point guard Torey Thomas also had a huge afternoon for HC, scoring 16 points while dishing out 6 assists and coming up with 4 steals. Thomas, who is listed at 5-11 and is actually about two inches shorter than that, led all rebounders with 9 boards.

Simmons, kept in check the first half, responded in the second to post his 43rd straight double figures game, finishing with 11 points.

Ingram led AU with 20 points. Nobody else reached double figures for the Eagles, who shot 37.9 percent (20 of 53) from the field, including 7 three-pointers on 19 tries.

American's inability to get to the foul line proved just as decisive as Simmons' end of game shot. The Eagles only went to the line 9 times, making 6. Holy Cross hit 12 free throws on 15 attempts.
Box score | Telegram & Gazette (gamer) | Telegram & Gazette (column) | Boston Herald

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