WORCESTER, Mass. – Led by a pair of 20-point performances, the Holy Cross women's basketball team downed Bryant, 87-75, on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Hart Center.

Sophomore guard Avery LaBarbera had 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go with six rebounds, five assists and three steals to lead the Crusaders (2-1). Senior forward Lauren Manis notched 20 points with six rebounds; senior center Megan Swords had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Madalyn Smith was also in double figures with 12 points and four helpers.

Alana Perkins had 21 points for the Bulldogs (1-3), while Sydney Holloway had 17 points and nine rebounds. Nicole Gallagher chipped in 17 points as well.

Holy Cross took the lead just a few seconds in thanks to a jumper by LaBarbera off a nifty pass by junior guard Jenay Faulkner – who had four assists on the night – and did not trail at any point in the contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders took a 9-0 lead in the first 1:47 of the game, with LaBarbera posting seven of those points. After a LaBarbera steal and a fastbreak layup, Bryant called a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Bulldogs were able to cut the Crusaders' lead to 11-7. Manis sunk a pair of free throws, and then was fouled on a 3-pointer and converted on the four-point play to help build that lead back to 10 points with 5:59 to go in the first. Bryant was within seven points with 2:01 to go, but a pair of free throws from LaBarbera and a jumper by Swords gave the Crusaders a 24-13 lead after one quarter.
• Holy Cross' lead grew up to 17 points, 30-13, at the 7:39 mark of the second after a fastbreak layup by senior guard Kathryn Pedi. Bryant went on a 7-1 run to cut within nine, prompting a Holy Cross timeout; the Bulldogs continued to push, making it a three-point game after a trey by Gallagher with 45 seconds remaining in the half. In all, Bryant outscored Holy Cross 26-19 in the second quarter to trail just 43-39 entering halftime.
• The Crusaders had the first five points of the second half to build some breathing room. Gallagher had a jumper with 6:22 left in the third to make the score 55-46 before LaBarbera connected on two straight 3-pointers. Faulkner extended the run with a layup, and junior center Shannon Murphy sunk two free throws to push the Crusaders' lead to 19, 67-48, with 2:48 remaining in the third. A layup broke up Holy Cross' scoring run, but its advantage grew to 73-50 entering the fourth as Smith made a jumper with 11 seconds remaining.
• Swords had a layup off an early Bryant turnover, giving Holy Cross its largest lead of the night, 75-50, to open the scoring in the fourth quarter. With the Crusaders leading by 23 with 7:08 to go, Bryant went on a 10-0 run. The Bulldogs cut within 12 with 1:42 to go after a 3-point basket, but could not any closer.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• The Crusaders' 87-point performance was their best offensive showing since a 90-76 win over Lafayette on Feb. 19, 2014.
• LaBarbera's point total was the second-highest of her career; her career-high is 30 points, which she scored against Brown on Nov. 18, 2018.
• Murphy's 20 minutes and four points were both career highs.
• Freshman guard Addisyn Cross played a collegiate-high 17 minutes.
• Holy Cross has had at least four players record double-figure points in each of its three games this season.
• The Crusaders have not trailed at any point during their last two contests.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross will host Merrimack on Saturday, Nov. 23. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:02 p.m.