Holy Cross Crusaders Defeat Lafayette Leopards 82-77
Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Kirby Sports Center
Holy Cross Crusaders 82, Lafayette Leopards 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Holy Cross Crusaders vs Lafayette Leopards?
Holy Cross Crusaders beat Lafayette Leopards 82-77 at Kirby Sports Center on March 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Holy Cross Crusaders vs Lafayette Leopards?
Lafayette Leopards were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Holy Cross Crusaders triumphed over the Lafayette Leopards with a final score of 82-77 at Kirby Sports Center. Both teams entered this game with identical records of 11-21, making this fixture particularly noteworthy as it showcased two struggling squads fighting for momentum at the end of the season.
The Leopards had shown a slight improvement in their recent form, boasting a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, including a two-game winning streak leading into this contest. Their scoring average during this stretch was 68.4 points per game, while they allowed an average of 71.9 points. In contrast, the Crusaders had struggled significantly, recording only two wins against eight losses in their last ten outings, with an average of 70.5 points scored and 74.7 points allowed.
At home, Lafayette had a record of 2-4 in their last six games, while Holy Cross had performed poorly on the road with a record of 1-4. This matchup was particularly significant as it followed a previous meeting on February 18, when Lafayette edged out Holy Cross 86-83 in a high-scoring affair. Historically, Lafayette had the upper hand in their recent encounters, winning four out of the last five matchups against Holy Cross.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details about player availability, but both teams were looking to field their best lineups for this critical game. The market had Lafayette favored by 4.5 points, according to DraftKings, with the total set at 141.5. The odds reflected a competitive landscape, indicating that the game could go either way despite the home advantage.
The conditions in the arena were typical for a late-season college basketball game, with fans eager to support their teams. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a thrilling second half, where the score fluctuated frequently. Key moments included Caleb Williams making crucial free throws for Holy Cross, followed by a layup from Shareef Jackson that tied the game at 75. Tyler Boston then hit a critical three-pointer, extending the Crusaders' lead to 78-75, and he continued to contribute with free throws that ultimately sealed the victory.
The final moments highlighted the intensity of the matchup, with Lafayette pushing hard to regain the lead but falling short as Holy Cross maintained their composure under pressure. The outcome not only marked a significant win for the Crusaders but also emphasized the ongoing challenges for the Leopards as they look to regroup and finish the season strong.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LAF -4.5 | 141.5 o -110 / u -110 | Holy Cross Crusaders +164 · Lafayette Leopards -198 |
Leaders
- PointsCaleb Williams16Lafayette Leopards
- AssistsMark Butler10Lafayette Leopards
- ReboundsCaleb Williams6Lafayette Leopards
- PointsGabe Warren23Holy Cross Crusaders
- AssistsTyler Boston14Holy Cross Crusaders
- ReboundsGabe Warren9Holy Cross Crusaders
Recent form
Lafayette Leopards
Last 10: 6-4Streak W268.4 scored · 71.9 allowed per game2-4 at home
- W83-77vs Army Black KnightsFeb 28
- W70-69at Colgate RaidersFeb 26
- L61-75vs American University EaglesFeb 22
- W86-83at Holy Cross CrusadersFeb 18
- L69-78vs Lehigh Mountain HawksFeb 14
- L54-68vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsFeb 12
- W63-60at Army Black KnightsFeb 7
- L50-65vs Navy MidshipmenFeb 5
- W67-65at American University EaglesJan 31
- W81-79vs Bucknell BisonJan 29
Holy Cross Crusaders
Last 10: 2-8Streak L270.5 scored · 74.7 allowed per game1-4 away
- L62-76vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsFeb 28
- L63-78at Boston University TerriersFeb 26
- W72-63at Bucknell BisonFeb 22
- L83-86vs Lafayette LeopardsFeb 18
- L73-83at Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsFeb 15
- L70-74vs Colgate RaidersFeb 11
- W76-67vs Lehigh Mountain HawksFeb 7
- L64-72vs Boston University TerriersFeb 3
- L68-69at Army Black KnightsJan 31
- L74-79at Colgate RaidersJan 29
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | 26-8 | - | 17-1 |
| Colgate | 18-15 | 6 | 11-7 |
| Lehigh | 18-17 | 6 | 11-7 |
| Boston University | 17-17 | 7 | 10-8 |
| American University | 16-16 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Loyola Maryland | 12-20 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Lafayette | 11-21 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Bucknell | 10-23 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Army | 11-21 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Holy Cross | 11-22 | 12 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | Holy Cross Crusaders | Lafayette Leopards |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-60 | 26-53 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 8-24 | 10-21 |
| Three-point % | 33 | 48 |
| Free throws | 18-18 | 15-18 |
| Free throw % | 100 | 83 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 26 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 2 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 24 |
| Assists | 22 | 18 |
| Steals | 5 | 2 |
| Blocks | 2 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 18 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 32 |
| Fouls | 18 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 14 | 14 |
| Time in front | 56 | 35 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half52-43Tyler Boston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-46Andrew Phillips makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mark Butler assists)
- 2nd Half54-46Declan Ryan makes 8-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half54-47Andrew Phillips makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-48Andrew Phillips makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-48DeAndre Williams makes 11-foot jumper (Declan Ryan assists)
- 2nd Half57-48DeAndre Williams makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-50Mark Butler makes 7-foot pullup jump shot (Caleb Williams assists)
- 2nd Half57-53Caleb Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half59-53Gabe Warren makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half59-55Shareef Jackson makes layup
- 2nd Half59-58Caleb Williams makes 27-foot three point jumper (Ryan Pettit assists)
- 2nd Half59-60Shareef Jackson makes layup (Mark Butler assists)
- 2nd Half60-60Tyler Boston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-60Tyler Boston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-63Caleb Williams makes 28-foot three point jumper (Shareef Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half63-63Aiden Disu makes 2-foot dunk (Tyler Boston assists)
- 2nd Half63-64Ryan Pettit makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-64Tyler Boston makes 17-foot jumper (Declan Ryan assists)
- 2nd Half65-66Mark Butler makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half66-66Gabe Warren makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-66Gabe Warren makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-66Tyler Boston makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half69-67Mark Butler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-68Mark Butler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-68Gabe Warren makes layup (Tyler Boston assists)
- 2nd Half71-69Ryan Pettit makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-69Aiden Disu makes 8-foot jumper (Tyler Boston assists)
- 2nd Half74-69Gabe Warren makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-69Gabe Warren makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-71Ryan Pettit makes driving layup (Mark Butler assists)
- 2nd Half75-72Caleb Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-73Caleb Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-75Shareef Jackson makes layup (Mark Butler assists)
- 2nd Half78-75Gabe Warren makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tyler Boston assists)
- 2nd Half79-75Tyler Boston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-75Tyler Boston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-77Mark Butler makes driving layup
- 2nd Half81-77Tyler Boston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-77Tyler Boston makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Lafayette Leopards, below favours Holy Cross Crusaders.
Venue
- Kirby Sports CenterEaston, PA
- Attendance1434
- OfficialsSean Campbell, Adam Flore, Edward Corbett
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Lafayette Edges Holy Cross in Close ContestFeb 18, 2026
- Lafayette Dominates Holy Cross 74-55 at HomeJan 17, 2026