Aug. 18, 2008

Center Valley, Pa. - Patriot League representatives will not be taking any medals home from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, as Bucknell men's basketball graduate J.R. Holden and Lafayette field hockey assistant coach Amy Tran both had their teams officially eliminated after pool play concluded on Monday.

Holden played well throughout the games for the Russia men's basketball team, but the squad dropped its final four contests to finish in fifth place of Group A in pool play. Holden scored 19 points and dished out a team-high five assists in Russia's 91-78 loss to Argentina on Monday. The Russians had already seen their chance at advancing to the quarterfinal round end with a 95-80 loss to Australia on Saturday. Holden scored 20 points in that contest, and concluded pool play with 19 points or more in four of Russia's five games.

Tran and the United States field hockey team entered Monday with a longshot chance of qualifying for the semifinal round, but a 0-0 tie with Great Britain dashed those hopes. Tran posted the shutout in goal, making a handful of saves in the final minute to preserve the tie. She served as the starting goalkeeper for the United States in all five contests, helping the squad post a 1-1-3 record to finish in fourth place in Group B of pool play. That mark included a 4-1 victory over New Zealand on Saturday.

For more information on this year's Olympians, as well as past Patriot League participants and updates and information on the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, visit the Patriot League Olympians page under the special features section on the League website or click here.