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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Holy Cross
Persia Leads Princeton Past Holy Cross 52-50
January 05, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2002
Box Score
Ed Persia scored all 10 of his points in the last 10 minutes to lead Princeton to a 52-50 win over Holy Cross in front of 5,610 at Jadwin Gym Saturday night.
Persia hit two big three-pointers and then shot 4 for 4 from the foul line in the final 16 seconds.
"I thought Ed played with great energy," said Princeton coach John Thompson. "That's what he's done in the last few games."
Princeton improved to 4-7 heading into its Ivy League openers next Friday and Saturday at Harvard and Dartmouth. The Tigers were 4-7 heading into the league a year ago before going 11-3 and winning the championship.
The win over Holy Cross improved Princeton to 4-1 at home. The Tigers are 0-6 away from home.
Princeton shot 18 for 33 from the field against the Crusaders. It was a 21-17 Princeton lead at intermission, and the Tigers extended to 11 points midway through the second half.
Holy Cross, led by Jave Meade's 11 points and nine assists, cut it to 32-31 with 10:41 to play, but Persia hit a three to build it back to five. Holy Cross made it a two-point game four times, the last at 42-40 game with 3:33 remaining, but the Crusaders would never tie or take the lead.
In addition to Persia, Mike Bechtold and Ahmed El-Nokali scored nine each, while Andre Logan added 10.