Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. (2/24/10) - Senior guard Kyle Roemer (Martinez, Calif.) scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Colgate rallied back to defeat Holy Cross 79-74 in overtime at the Hart Center.

The win marked the Raiders' third overtime victory in the Patriot League this season. Colgate's two other conference wins were both single-point margins.

The game was tied 63-63 in the final minute of regulation, when Holy Cross forward Andrew Keister was fouled. Keister hit the front end of a one-and-one, but missed the second shot to allow the Raiders one last chance. Freshman Mitch Rolls (Coffeyville, Kan.) missed a three-point attempt in the closing seconds, but sophomore Yaw Gyawu (Lilburn, Ga.) grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled with 0.7 seconds to play. Gyawu missed the first free throw, but hit the second to send the game into overtime.   

Roemer then scored seven consecutive points for Colgate in the overtime, capping his hot streak with a three-pointer to give the Raiders the lead for good, 73-70. Holy Cross guard Mike Cavataio responded with a layup to bring Holy Cross within one before Rolls and sophomore center Nick Pascale (DeWitt, N.Y.) made all six free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
   
Colgate trailed 54-47 with nine minutes left before going on a 14-6 run powered by seven points from junior point guard Joe Hoban (West Chester, Pa.). Hoban capped the run with a fast-break layup following a steal from Roemer, giving the Raiders a 61-60 lead with 2:04 remaining. After a Holy Cross free throw, senior forward Ben Jonson (Dallas, Texas) made an off-balance layup to put Colgate back up two. Cavataio then responded with a jumper of his own to tie the game at 63 with 48 seconds remaining.

The Raiders held a 23-15 lead in the first half after a three-pointer from Rolls. Holy Cross went on a 15-4 run to take a one-point lead, but Colgate rallied back to go into the locker room with a 31-30 halftime advantage.

Rolls had 14 points and four assists, while Jonson pitched in 12 points to go along with eight assists and six boards. Colgate also out-rebounded Holy Cross 37-25, including 19 on the offensive glass.

For Holy Cross (8-20, 5-8), Cavataio led with 19 points, while Keister scored 17 and point guard Andrew Beinert had 15 points and 10 assists.

The Raiders conclude the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 27, when they host Navy for “Senior Day” at 4 p.m. Pre-game ceremonies will honor Jonson and Roemer who will play their final regular season game at Cotterell Court.