Siena holds off Holy Cross 71-65

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Nico Clareth scored 29 points and Siena held on for a 71-65 win over Holy Cross to wrap up both teams' nonconference schedules on Friday night.

Roman Penn added 13 points including a pair of 3s for the Saints (4-9), who pulled away with a 10-1 run to lead 62-50 on Clareth's 3-pointer with 8:47 left. The Crusaders (3-8) closed within 66-61 on Matt Faw's 3-point play with 1:41 left, but Siena made 5 of 7 free throws to secure the win.

Patrick Benzan had 12 points, Connor Niego added 11 and Jehyve Floyd scored 10 for Holy Cross.

Siena took the lead for good at 33-32 with 4:30 to go in the first half and led the entire way after the break. Holy Cross scored the first six points of the second half to cut the deficit down to 40-39 but got no closer.