EASTON, Pa. – Paced by a career-high 32 points from senior Lauren Manis, the Holy Cross women's basketball team earned a 57-49 road win and regular-season sweep over Lafayette on Saturday, Feb. 15.

In addition to her 32-point showing – including an 11-for-13 day from the free throw line – Manis added in 16 rebounds to lead Holy Cross (15-9, 8-5 Patriot League). Senior Madalyn Smith added in 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Natalie Kucowski led Lafayette (12-11, 8-5 Patriot League) with 15 points and nine rebounds. Alexis Santarelli was in double figures with 10 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After Lafayette took an early 9-4 lead, Holy Cross ended the first quarter on a 15-2 run, capped by a layup from senior Megan Swords. The Crusaders' lead grew as high as 11 in the first half, 24-13, after Manis found Swords inside for an easy layup with 6:40 to go in the second quarter.
• Drew Freeland hit a three with 1:20 to go in the half to help Lafayette cut within seven, but junior Jenay Faulkner hit a 3-pointer as time expired to push the Holy Cross lead back to 10 by the half.
• The Crusaders maintained a comfortable lead for the beginning of the third quarter, with Manis hitting an early jumper and Smith draining a 3-pointer that pushed the lead to 12 points, 36-24, with 7:42 to go.
• Smith had another 3-pointer with 1:03 to go, making it a 44-34 advantage for the Crusaders before Sydney Sabino had a three and Kucowski made a layup as time expired to cut the lead to five. Back-to-back shots by Santarelli to cut the lead to 44-43 with 8:17 left, forcing a Holy Cross timeout. Out of the timeout, Manis made a layup, and senior Kathryn Pedi drained a 3-pointer to put Holy Cross up by six points.
• Lafayette continued hanging around, with Freeland hitting a layup with 3:14 to go that made it a 53-49 game. Manis immediately responded with a 3-pointer, and the Crusaders held the Leopards scoreless over the remainder of the game.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• In a battle between the top two rebounding teams in the Patriot League, Holy Cross held a 42-31 edge on the boards. The Crusaders have out-rebounded Patriot League opponents in 11 of 13 games.
• Manis bested her previous career high of 30 points, set against Boston College on Nov. 15, 2018.
• Manis has recorded 15 or more rebounds in five games this season.

 
UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross heads to Bucknell on Wednesday, Feb. 19 for a 6 p.m. matchup.