El-Nokali free throws lift Tigers
By: Bob Nuse
Ahmed El-Nokali sank a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left in the game to give the Princeton University men’s basketball team a 47-46 win over Holy Cross Saturday in Worcester, Mass.
The Crusaders had rallied to take a 46-45 lead with 30 seconds left on a three-point field goal by Jared Curry. But El-Nokali was fouled driving to the basket on the Tigers’ next possession and hit the game-winning free throws.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Tigers, who improved to 4-5. Holy Cross fell to 7-3 on the season.
El-Nokali and Kyle Wente shared team-high scoring honors for the Tigers with 13 points apiece. Nate Walton added six points and seven rebounds.
Princeton will be back in action 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when it faces Penn State in the opening round of the ECAC Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden. The Tigers will play again Wednesday in either the consolation or championship game against either Rutgers or Hofstra.