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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Men's Hoops Sinks Holy Cross 47-46
December 23, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 23, 2000
Box Score
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Ahmed El-Nokali hit two free throws with 15 seconds left to lift Princeton to a 47-46 victory over Holy Cross Saturday.
Kyle Wente's 3-pointer gave Princeton (4-5) a 42-37 lead with 4:36 left, but Tim Szatko scored six straight for Holy Cross (7-3) to bring the Crusaders within 45-43 with 2:08 to play.
Holy Cross took a 46-45 lead on Jared Curry's 3-pointer with 30 seconds left. It was the Crusaders first lead of the second half.
But El-Nokali was fouled driving to the basket and hit both foul shots for the win.
El Nokali and Wente led Princeton with 13 points each. Nate Walton added seven points and six assists. Ryan Serravalle paced Holy Cross with 11 points.
Princeton played tough interior defense, holding 6-foot-11-inch Josh Sankes, Holy Cross' leading scorer at 13.7 points per game, to just one shot and five points. Princeton also outrebounded Holy Cross, 26-19.
There were four ties and four lead changes in the first half. Serravalle scored consecutive baskets to give Holy Cross an 18-15 lead with 4:14 left in the first half. Wente's 3-pointer gave Princeton a 20-18 halftime lead.