Nyack, N.Y. - The entire starting five for the Holy Family University men's basketball team scored in double-digits as the Tigers defeated Nyack College, 77-71, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) road contest Saturday afternoon.
 
Holy Family improves to 6-7 overall and 2-3 in conference play, while Nyack falls to 0-15 overall and 0-5 in the CACC.
 
Holy Family had five players score in double-digits, including junior Angel Ayala (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) who led the way with a team-high 17 points.  He shot 6-of-10 from the field and finished one rebound shy of a double-double with nine.  Sophomore Alberto Munoz (Morrisville, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons) finished the game with 14 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Eric Fleming (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) also contributed 14 points to go along with four boards.  Fleming's 14 points is a new season-high as he shot 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-6 from deep range.
 
Senior Rickie Crews (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) and junior Khiry Hankins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day School) each scored 12 points a piece.  Hankins knocked down 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. 
 
For Nyack, freshman Chris Hampton scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Warriors offense.  Hampton shot 8-of-16 from the field and also drained four three-pointers.  Fellow classmate Khalid Samuels contributed 15 points, while senior Lafayette Curtis and Chris Gibson each contributed 11 points. 
 
Holy Family overcame a ten-point deficit early in the second half as Nyack led by the score of 52-42 after sophomore Jose Pena-Benjamin drained a three-pointer at the 14:02 mark. 
 
Holy Family began chipping away at Nyack's lead and came within one point after Crews scored a layup and in the process was fouled.  He went to the line and converted the free throw to make the score 61-60 with 7:34 remaining on the clock.
 
Minutes later Holy Family tied the game after Fleming knocked down a big three-pointer to tie the score at 63-63.  However, on the following possession by Nyack, the Warriors responded with a three-pointer of their own as Samuels' three gave the home squad a 66-63 advantage.
 
Both teams continued to go back-and-forth as the score was once again tied in the final minute of play.  With the score tied 71-71, Ayala was fouled by Nyack and was sent to the line to shoot two free throws.  He made the first to give the Tigers the lead, but missed his second.  Ayala though quickly cut through the lane and grabbed and offensive board and scored a layup to give Holy Family its biggest lead of the game by the score of 74-71 with :38 seconds left in regulation. 
 
On the following possession, Nyack turned the ball over as sophomore Rashaad Sneed (Durham, N.C./Hillside Heat Academy) intercepted a pass resulting in the Warriors intentionally fouling Sneed.   Sneed drained his two free throws to give Holy Family a 76-71 lead with :22 seconds showing on the clock.
 
Nyack managed to get off two three-point attempts on its next trip down the court, but were unable to knock either shot down as Ayala grabbed an offensive rebound with five seconds to go.  The Warriors fouled Ayala as he split a pair of free throws to make the score 77-71. 
 
Holy Family shot 44.3-percent from the field and knocked down 12 three-pointers during the game.  The Tigers shot 41.4-percent from three (12-29) and were 11-of-16 from the free throw, including 10-of-14 in the second half. 
 
Holy Family is back in action on Tuesday, January 10 as the Tigers host Chestnut Hill College in a CACC contest.  Game time is slated for 8 p.m.
 
Tuesday night's game is 'Pack the House' night at the Campus Center Gymnasium.  Fans are encouraged to wear black to the game or their 'Tiger Madness' T-shirts to support the team.  For more information on 'Pack the House' night, visit the official website for Holy Family athletics at http://athletics.holyfamily.edu (.)