EASTON, Pa. (AP) -Ryan Willen scored 20 points to lead four Lafayette players in double figures, propelling the Leopards to an 84-74 win over Holy Cross on Saturday in the Patriot League opener for both teams.
Jared Mintz added 16 points, Jeff Kari 14 and Jim Mower 13 for the Leopards (10-6), who have won three straight games and six of their last seven.
Willen and Kari nailed three 3-pointers apiece for the Leopards, who finished 8 of 15 from long range (53.3 percent). Holy Cross was just 5 of 17 from beyond the arc (29.4 percent).
Lafayette led by five points at halftime, but Holy Cross took a 43-40 lead less than 5 minutes into the second on R.J. Evans' layup. Kari hit a 3-pointer to pull Lafayette even, though, sparking a 17-3 run that sealed it.
Evans scored 19 points to lead the Crusaders (3-13), who have dropped seven of their last eight.
