ESPN Men's Basketball

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) -- Keith Simmons scored 22 points, and Alex Vander Baan grabbed a critical offensive rebound in the closing seconds to lead Holy Cross to a 65-60 victory over Bucknell on Friday night.

Torey Thomas and Tim Clifford each scored 13 for Holy Cross (12-6, 3-0 Patriot League). Justin Castleberry scored 16 and Donald Brown added 12 for Bucknell (8-8, 2-1 PL).

The Crusaders led 60-50 with 2:53 remaining. Then Bucknell's Jason Vegotsky hit a 3-pointer, and the Bison forced three turnovers. Castleberry hit a 3-pointer, and with :57 left, his two free throws cut it to 61-60.

Thomas was fouled with :33 left. He hit the first free throw, but missed the second. Vander Bann recovered the ball, and Simmons hit a free throw, making it 63-60. Bucknell's John Griffin missed a 3-pointer. Thomas's two throws were the game's final points.

Holy Cross led 31-25 at the half, and took its largest lead of the game, 59-46 on four consecutive free throws by Simmons with 6:08 remaining.

The Crusaders held Bucknell's star center Chris McNaughton to just 4 points.