JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Florida pulled away late to take an 80-60 victory over the Holy Cross women's basketball team on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Senior Lauren Manis led the Crusaders (6-4) with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Oluchi Ezemma was also in double figures with 11 points and five rebounds. Senior Madalyn Smith added in seven points and six assists.

Adrienne Jackson scored 22 points in a balanced effort for North Florida (6-6), while Tiffany Tolbert had 19 points. Jazz Bond was also in double figures with 15 points, and Janesha Green had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holy Cross fell behind 4-0 early before back-to-back threes by Manis and senior Kathryn Pedi put the Crusaders on top. Manis had seven of the Crusaders' first 10 points, but the Ospreys built an 18-13 lead by the end of the first quarter.
• To begin the second quarter, Holy Cross went on a 10-4 run as Ezemma converted on an and-one to give the Crusaders a 23-22 lead. North Florida rebuilt its lead to six points, 33-27, before Holy Cross cut within 33-32 on a fastbreak layup by Manis.
• Trailing 36-32, the Crusaders had five unanswered points to end the first half with a 37-36 lead after a 3-pointer by Cross and a layup by Manis. Holy Cross continued the run into the beginning of the second half, with six more points in the first minute, capped by a three from sophomore Avery LaBarbera, to extend its lead to 43-36.
• North Florida went on a quick run to take a 49-48 lead by the 5:26 mark of the third quarter. Manis and LaBarbera had back-to-back baskets to give Holy Cross the lead back at 52-49. North Florida regained a four-point lead before Ezemma made a layup as time expired to cut the deficit to 56-54.
• The Ospreys built their advantage to 60-54 with 6:31 to go in the game; they outscored the Crusaders 24-6 in the final frame for the win.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• With her 20-point performance, Manis passed Alex Smith (2010-14) for fifth place in program history with 1,652 points. She has more career points than any Crusader since 1999.
• Manis has recorded double-doubles in seven games this season and in each of the last four contests.
• Ezemma's total of 11 points was a season high.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross rounds out nonconference play with a visit to Stetson in DeLand, Fla., on Monday, Dec. 30.
• Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.