KINGSTON, R.I. – The Holy Cross women's basketball team's comeback attempt fell short against the University of Rhode Island, as the Crusaders dropped a 73-58 result on Wednesday, December 4.

The Crusaders (4-2) trailed by 19 points midway through the second quarter, and were able to erase the deficit after storming back late in the second quarter and carrying that momentum into the third quarter. Trailing by just one entering the fourth, Holy Cross could not hold off a strong effort by the Rams, who outscored the Crusaders 25-11 in the final frame.

Senior Madalyn Smith had a career-high 25 points, including seven 3-pointers, to lead Holy Cross. Sophomore Avery LaBarbera was also in double figures with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists. Senior Lauren Manis added in nine points and seven rebounds.

Five Rhode Island players were in double figures, including Davida Dale, who chipped in 17 points, seven assists and seven steals to lead the Rams (5-2). Nicole Jorgensen had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Kassondra Brown had 15 points, while Erin Jones had 12 and Marta Vargas had 10.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The teams traded baskets early, but a pair of 3-pointers by Smith gave the Crusaders an early 8-7 lead heading into the first media timeout with 4:27 left in the first. Rhode Island went on a 14-1 run to close out the frame, and extended their lead to 30-11 with 4:06 left in the second.
• Manis had back-to-back baskets, followed by a made free throw, to kick off a run for the Crusaders. Junior Jenay Faulkner had a three to cut the Crusaders' deficit to just 11, but the Rams responded with a three of their own. However, Manis added in another jumper and LaBarbera had a 3-pointer while Holy Cross held Rhode Island scoreless over the remainder of the half to keep the Crusaders within nine, 33-24, headed into halftime.
• Dale had five unanswered points to open the second half for Rhode Island, but senior Megan Swords had a layup, followed by three straight 3-pointers for the Crusaders – two from Smith and one from LaBarbera – to cut the Rams' lead to five. Smith's hand stayed hot, and she made two more threes in the third, including a basket that gave Holy Cross a 45-44 lead with 2:53 remaining.
• The teams traded baskets over the final minutes of the third, with Rhode Island taking a one-point lead, 48-47, into the fourth quarter. Swords had a layup to open the fourth to give the Crusaders the lead back, and after Jorgensen made a layup of her own on the other end, Smith drove for a layup to make it 51-50 in favor of Holy Cross. From that point, the Rams were able to pull away, outscoring Holy Cross 23-7 to close out the game.  

 BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Smith's 25 points bested her previous career high of 16 points, set during her freshman season. Her seven 3-pointers are tied for the second-most in a single game in program history and are the most since Whitney Fremeau had seven against Lehigh on Jan. 29, 2011.
• The Crusaders have made 10 3-pointers in back-to-back contests and have made at least nine in four of their six games this season. They are shooting 49 percent from beyond the arc this year.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross continues its December road swing with a matchup at the University of Massachusetts on Sunday, Dec. 8.
• Tipoff in Amherst is set for 2 p.m.