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March 24, 2005
This page includes team notes on the Patriot League's three postseason basketball participants from 2005 - the Bucknell men and the Holy Cross men and women, as well as game recaps, a graduation rate report, links to national newspaper articles and a photo gallery regarding Patriot League basketball.
Patriot League's NCAA Tournament teams succeeding in the classoom
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Bucknell University Bison (23-10, 10-4 PL)
- Bucknell made history, recording the Patriot League's first-ever victory in the men's NCAA Tournament in 15 tries with a 64-63 upset of third-seeded Kansas in Oklahoma City on Friday, March 18.
- The Bison became just the 14th No. 14 seed in the history of the tournament to win a first round game, and saddled Kansas with its first loss in the first round since 1978, ending the longest active streak of first round victories in the nation.
- BU earned the victory when sophomore center Chris McNaughton banked home a jump-hook in the lane over All-American Wayne Simien in the game's final 10 seconds. In the Patriot League championship game and the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament combined, McNaughton scored 54 points on 23-of-29 shooting.
- Sophomore guard Abe Badmus finished the NCAA Tournament with 15 assists against just two turnovers.
- Bucknell was defeated in the second round, 71-62 versus Wisconsin. The Bison did, however, hold a one-point lead against the sixth-seeded Badgers with nine minutes remaining in the contest.
- BU earned its first invitation to the Big Dance since 1989 with a 61-57 win at Holy Cross in the PL title game.
Bucknell falls short against Wisconsin, 71-62
MADNESS: BUCKNELL SHOCKS KANSAS
College of the Holy Cross Crusaders (25-7, 13-1 PL)
- Holy Cross won its third Patriot League regular season title of the Ralph Willard era in 2004-05.
- The Crusaders ended the 2004-05 campaign with 17 wins in their last 19 games, as well as a 13-4 record in games played on the road or at neutral sites.
- Patriot League Player of the Year Kevin Hamilton registered a career-high 26 points in HC's 78-73 win over Notre Dame in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.
- The victory was the first-ever for a Patriot League school in the postseason NIT. Holy Cross' invitation to the tourney was also the first-ever for the League.
- Holy Cross saw its season come to a close with a 68-60 defeat at Saint Joseph's in the second round. Playing in his final collegiate game, senior forward John Hurley led the way with 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Holy Cross falls at Saint Joseph's in NIT second round
Crusaders down Notre Dame 78-73 in NIT first round
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
College of the Holy Cross Crusaders (20-11, 12-2 PL)
- The Crusaders won the Patriot League regular season title, followed by the Tournament crown with a 79-70 victory over Colgate.
- Holy Cross has now appeared in 11 NCAA Tournaments, including nine while in the Patriot League.
- The only other Patriot League team to make multiple NCAA Tournament peformances was former member Fordham with two.
- Head coach Bill Gibbons has led Holy Cross to 10 of its 11 NCAA appearances.
- The Crusaders are 1-9 in the NCAA Tournament as a Patriot League representative and 1-10 overall after this year's loss to second-seeded Ohio State. HC's lone win came in 1991 over Maryland, 81-74.
- Senior center Lisa Andrews reached double-figure scoring against Ohio State with 13 points. She added four rebounds and tied a season-high with four blocks.
- Freshman guard Laura Aloisi pulled down a team-high six rebounds in the game, tying a career-high.
Holy Cross falls to Ohio State in NCAA First Round
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