CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Senior Lauren Manis posted one of the most powerful performances of her career in the 2019 season opener, leading the Holy Cross women's basketball team in an overtime battle against Big Ten opponent University of Illinois, and while the Crusaders battled to the final seconds, they would fall just short, 78-75, Saturday afternoon.

Manis led the Crusaders (0-1) and the game with 22 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, setting a new program record on the glass while posting the 39th double-double of her career. Sophomore guard Avery LaBarbera and junior shooter Jenay Faulkner each chipped in 13 points, while senior captain Madalyn Smith added 12 with seven rebounds and a game-best seven assists. Sophomore forward Oluchi Ezemma also posted double-digit rebounds with 11.

Ali Andrews paced the Fighting Illini (2-0) with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jada Pebbles (17), Jeanae Terry (12) and Kennedi Myles (11) each posted double-digit scoring.
Holy Cross won the battle on the glass, 48-46, and outshot the Illini on the day, .397 to .370.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Early corner threes by Faulkner and local product Kathryn Pedi (6 points, 2-3 from 3-point range) put the Crusaders within a score, and strong post play from Manis knotted the game at 8-8 with less than five to play in the first quarter. The points were part of an 11-3 run that put Holy Cross on top, 14-11, with 3:13 left in the first.
• In the second, the Crusaders put the Illini on their heels, forcing three turnovers and dropping in back-to-back threes (Smith, Pedi) to take a 28-23 advantage with 3:54 to go before the intermission.
• Holy Cross extended that lead to 37-28 at the break, forcing five second-quarter turnovers and converting at a 57.1 percent clip (8-14) from the floor in the frame.
• In the third, Illinois would bring the pressure and the defense, forcing four Holy Cross turnovers and ripping off a 15-2 run to close the score to 46-43 with two minutes to play.
• Illinois took back the lead just seconds into the fourth quarter, and seven-straight points from the Illini put the Crusaders in a 54-48 hole. But Smith and LaBarbera dropped in consecutive threes to pull back within one, 57-56, entering the final five minutes of action.
• With the shot clock turned off, Manis would pull down the biggest rebound of the game – her 17th – to give the Crusaders the chance to win in the final seconds with the score tied at 65-65.
• In overtime, a Faulkner three gave Holy Cross the lead, 68-67, with 3:05 remaining, but it would be the visitors' final advantage despite a late 72-72 tie. With a chance to tie on the final shot of the game, a good look from Smith from beyond the arc rimmed out at the buzzer.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• This isn't the first the Crusaders have given a Big Ten team a scare. Holy Cross took Penn State to overtime on Nov. 13, 2015 before falling, 86-82. The last time the Crusaders defeated a team from the Big Ten was on Feb. 8, 2001 with a 62-58 win over Michigan.
• Faulkner's 13 points matched a career high; she previously had 13-point performances on Jan. 23, 2019 against Army and Dec. 9, 2017 vs. Vermont.
• Smith played a career-high number of minutes, spending 43:10 on the floor, a game high.
• Manis also posted her highest minute count at 41:48. 

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross returns to Worcester for its home opener against Boston College on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
• Tipoff is scheduled for 7:02 p.m.