HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Holy Cross women's basketball team couldn't get past Colgate, falling by a score of 71-60 on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Senior Megan Swords energized the Crusaders' offense early and finished with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds for Holy Cross (13-8, 6-4 Patriot League). Sophomore Avery LaBarbera finished with 17 points and six rebounds.

Rachel Thompson recorded 23 points and eight rebounds to lead Colgate (15-6, 7-3 Patriot League). Abby Schubiger chipped in 20 points and six rebounds. Tegan Graham finished with 11 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Colgate held a 14-4 lead after one quarter, with the only Holy Cross points coming off a pair of layups from Swords. Swords had two more baskets to open the second quarter; the Crusaders cut their deficit to six points, 16-10, after LaBarbera found sophomore Oluchi Ezemma inside for a layup.
• The Raiders built their lead to 26-14 with 2:21 to go in the half before a 3-pointer from junior Jenay Faulkner sparked a 10-0 run for Holy Cross. A three from LaBarbera and a layup by Swords with less than a minute to go in the half helped the Crusaders cut within 26-24 at the half.
• Colgate opened the third quarter on a 15-4 run. LaBarbera hung tough, sinking seven of her eight free throw attempts in the frame, but the Raiders continued to pull away, building a 53-41 lead by the end of the third.
• The Crusaders opened the fourth with seven unanswered points, with Swords hitting back-to-back layups to help Holy Cross cut within five, 53-48, with 8:22 to go. Colgate rebuilt its lead to 11, but Ezemma hit a layup and senior Madalyn Smith sank a three to make it a six-point game with 3:37 to go.
• After a jumper from Schubiger, LaBarbera hit another three to help the Crusaders cut within five points, 61-56, with 2:08 to go. That's as close as Holy Cross could get, as Thompson responded with a driving layup and Colgate outscored the Crusaders 10-2 over the remainder of the game.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Swords reached double-figure points for the fourth consecutive game; her double-double was her eighth of the year.
• LaBarbera has hit double figures in six straight games.

UP NEXT:

• Following a bye, the Crusaders will host Boston University on Feb. 8.
• Tipoff at the Hart Center is set for 1 p.m.