EASTON, Pa. -- Jared Mintz scored six points in the final 35 seconds to lift Lafayette past Holy Cross 66-63 on Sunday in a Patriot League Conference tournament semifinal.
The Leopards (19-12) were up 39-30 at halftime, led by 12 of Jim Mower's 17 points -- all on 3s -- but the lead changed hands eight times in the second half.Mike Cavataio's tip-in put the Crusaders (10-21) up 63-62 with 56 seconds to play.Mintz then hit a jumper on Lafayette's next possession, and after Holy Cross missed a field goal, Mintz made two free throws with 6 seconds left for the final margin.The Leopards, who improved to 6-0 in conference tournament games at home, will play the winner of the Lehigh-American game on Friday.Mower went 5-for-10 from 3-point range and Jeff Kari added 10 for third-seeded Lafayette.RJ Evans led the seventh-seeded Crusaders with 21 points.
