WORCESTER, Mass. – Powered by senior Avery LaBarbera's first double-double of the season the Holy Cross women's basketball team won their third consecutive contest beating non-conference opponent the University of Rhode Island 66-54 Thursday night in the Hart Center.

With the win, the Crusaders improve to 4-3 overall while the Rams slide to 7-2 in the early going.

LaBarbera recorded her fourth career double-double scoring a team-high 20 points and grabbing a game-best 10 rebounds in the victory. She dished out three assists and came away with two steals as well. Sophomore Bronagh Power-Cassidy joined her teammate in double figures with 15 points missing only one shot attempt (6-for-7, 85.7%) while Cara McCormack came off the bench to score 11 markers and had a game-high +13 when she was on the court.

Emmanuelle Tahane paced all Rams with 23 points and eight rebounds – four offensive in the loss for URI.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• LaBarbera began the game getting her hands in the passing lane for a theft. URI then went on a 10-2 burst to lead with 5:19 left in the opening period. It was the Rams' largest lead of the game.
• A 9-2 mini spurt by Holy Cross pulled them within one, 12-11 thanks to a Power-Cassidy trifecta.
• To begin the second quarter, the Crusaders used a 12-3 run to take a two-possession edge, 27-21 using a key second chance post bucket from sophomore Janelle Allen.
• In the final seconds of the first half junior Addisyn Cross picked pocketed Dolly Carins, made a three quarters court pass to LaBarbera on the wing, she drove the lane, double-clutched, and scooped a layup off the window to put Holy Cross in front 33-31 at the intermission.
• The third quarter shaped the game for the Crusaders as they outscored their counterparts 16-to-7 and opened up a double-digit lead 49-38. McCormack put her body on the line in the waning seconds to draw an offensive foul as the quarter expired.
• Senior Kelly Petro cut to the rack with under three minutes remaining for the Crusaders' largest lead of the battle, 64-46.

• Holding a two point edge at the break, Holy Cross held URI to 21.4% (3-for-14) shooting in the third quarter.
• The Crusaders shot 50% from three-point land connecting on 8-of-16 from deep.
• It was LaBarbera's second time this season recording double-digit caroms as she secured a season-high 11 boards versus Connecticut College (11/22/21).

• The Crusaders remain at home on Sunday, December 5th when they take on non-conference opponent Brown University at noon.