BETHELEHEM, Pa. – The Holy Cross women's basketball team fell to Lehigh, 87-68, on Saturday, Jan. 23.
Sophomore
Kerry Flaherty led Holy Cross (4-3) with a career-high 12 points, going 5-for-5 from the field. Freshman
Janelle Allen also added 12 points, and junior
Avery LaBarbera neared a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds to go with four assists and three steals. Junior
Kelly Petro matched her career high of eight points and set a career high with four assists.
Two players finished with a double-double for Lehigh (5-2): Mariah Sexe (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Frannie Hottinger (18 points, 10 rebounds). Mackenzie Kramer finished in double figures with 12 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Leading by as much as seven in the first quarter, Lehigh held a 23-17 edge after the frame. The Mountain Hawks immediately hit a three and converted on an and-one to open the second quarter to build a 12-point advantage just 35 seconds in.
- Though Lehigh held a steady lead, and led by 13 with 2:29 to go in the half, the Crusaders were able to cut within seven points with 1:02 left after a layup from Allen, a steal and finish by Flaherty and a fastbreak layup by Petro after a steal from LaBarbera.
- After the Mountain Hawks took a 13-point advantage early in the third, junior Oluchi Ezemma had a layup and LaBarbera had a three to bring the Crusaders back within single digits with with 7:10 left in the third.
- A 14-0 run for Lehigh built their lead to 22; Holy Cross outscored the Mountain Hawks 13-7 over the remainder of the third quarter, capped by a three at the buzzer by Flaherty, to cut within 16 headed into the fourth.
- Flaherty's three with 4:06 left in regulation made it a 13-point game, but Lehigh kept the Crusaders from making any more of a run, leading by as much as 21 with 54 seconds remaining.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- LaBarbera's steal with 1:07 left in the second quarter marked her 100th career steal.
- Eight different Crusaders have now posted a game in double figures this season.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders close out the weekend series on Sunday, Jan. 24.
- Tipoff at Stabler Arena is set for noon.
