NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Men's basketball improved their record to .500 for the season and won their third straight game on Tuesday evening. The Maple Leafs defeated Holy Cross College 78-73.

This was the last nonconference regular season game for the Leafs, and they finish with a 7-3 record in those games. The .700 nonconference win percentage is their best since going 10-2 in the 2011-12 season. The seven nonconference wins are the same amount the Maple Leafs had in the three previous seasons combined.

Goshen scored first and went up 8-2 early on. Their lead increased to double-digits less than ten minutes into the game and they led by eight going into halftime.

In the second half, the lead shrunk to four but grew to 16 at one point. Goshen was still up 15 with 3:40 to go after Deecon Hill knocked down a three-pointer. The Saints went on a 7-0 run and cut the lead to five with 15 seconds left. While the Leafs missed their last five free throws in the game, Holy Cross also missed some late shot attempts and Goshen escaped with a victory.

Goshen shot 53.3% from the floor - their best mark since shooting 55.8% against Indiana Wesleyan on February 19, 2025. The Leafs were not as great from the foul line, shooting 52.4%. This was the first time GC won a game where they shot better from the floor than the free-throw line since December 28, 2018 against Central State.

Marcus Northern had 20 points with two steals and a block. This was his fifth 20-point game this season - he had four in the previous two seasons combined. Kamren Williams scored 17 points in just as many minutes. He had four assists and seven points came at the free-throw line, tying a season high. Juraj Minarovjech efficiently scored a career-high 11 points on 5-7 shooting with four rebounds, four assists and a steal. His five field goals made is a career high, the assist total is a season high and the rebound total is his second-most this season. Deecon Hill hit multiple threes for the third straight game after having two such games through December 14, 2025. Saiveon Williams had a season-best eight rebounds.

Goshen (7-7, 0-4 CL) hosts Saint Francis on Saturday, January 3, at 3:00 pm. The Cougars are 5-8 overall and 0-4 in the Crossroads League.