BALTIMORE, Md. – The Holy Cross women's basketball team held off a late push by Loyola (Md.) to open Patriot League play with a 64-56 victory on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Senior
Kathryn Pedi led Holy Cross (8-4) in scoring with 15 points off five 3-pointers. Senior
Lauren Manis notched a double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds while also adding in three steals and two blocks. Senior
Megan Swords and sophomore
Avery LaBarbera had 12 points each.
Emily McAteer led all scorers with 18 points, including 15 in the second half. Stephanie Karcz had 14 points and seven steals, while Bri Rozzi chipped in 13 points for Loyola (3-9).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Crusaders used a 9-0 run, featuring 3-pointers from Manis and Pedi, to take a 9-2 lead early. That advantage grew to 16-4 after a three by LaBarbera, and Holy Cross held a 21-11 lead after the first quarter.
- Holy Cross made seven of its nine 3-point attempts in the first half, including back-to-back 3-pointers by junior Jenay Faulkner that made it a 33-17 game with 5:09 to go in the second quarter.
- Loyola used 13 unanswered points to cut within 40-33 by 5:28 of the third quarter, but Swords hit back-to-back layups to put Holy Cross back ahead by double figures. An and-one by LaBarbera built the lead back to 15 with 3:44 to go; Pedi hit a three as time expired in the third quarter to give Holy Cross a 54-37 lead.
- The Greyhounds pressured in the fourth quarter, cutting the game to eight after a three from McAteer with 2:11 to go. LaBarbera hit a three of her own, but McAteer again drained a three to keep the Greyhounds' deficit at just eight. Though Loyola stuck around, using a layup by Rozzi to make it a seven-point game with 17 seconds left, the Crusaders held off any further late push.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Manis notched her sixth consecutive double-double and ninth of the year. Her 16-rebound showing was her third-highest total in a game this season.
- Pedi has made five or more 3-pointers in three games this season.
- The Crusaders have now shot .500 or better in four games this year, including a 10-for-18 (.556) performance on Thursday.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders round out their four-game road trip with a visit to Navy on Saturday, Jan. 4.
- Tipoff in Annapolis, Md. is scheduled for 4 p.m.
