ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Holy Cross women's basketball team never trailed in the Patriot League opener as they collected a 63-53 victory against the United States Naval Academy Wednesday night in Alumni Hall.
Seven Crusaders (7-5, 1-0 PL) scored six or more points in a balanced offensive effort. Senior
Oluchi Ezemma paved the way with 11 points, seven rebounds – four offensive shooting 5-of-10 from the hardwood. Sophomore
Bronagh Power-Cassidy joined Ezemma in double-figures with 11 points shooting 4-for-8 and was a game-high +15 when she was on the court. Senior
Avery LaBarbera stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. For Navy (3-8, 0-1 PL), Jennifer Coleman carried the offensive load with 25 markers, seven rebounds and three steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Junior Addisyn Cross set the tone early forcing a steal which resulted in a sophomore Janelle Allen post move deuce. Allen then connected on another close range shot and LaBarbera fed Power-Cassidy for two for her third dime in the opening two minutes giving the Crusaders an early 6-0 edge. Navy made it a one possession game, but Holy Cross kept at it building a nine point, 14-5 lead thanks to back-to-back threes by Cross and Power-Cassidy.
- In the second stanza, LaBarbera knocked down a jumper to put her squad ahead 16, 26-10 at the 6:10 mark. A Coleman and1 with 31 seconds left cut the Midshipmen deficit to nine, 30-21, but Cross swished home a triple from the corner to regain the 33-21 halftime lead for the guests.
- Navy once again brought it to single digits early in the third, however, LaBarbera dished the rock to Madison Demski in the left corner for a wide open trifecta pushing the margin back to 12, 38-26. Ezemma came away with a theft and LaBarbera kept the possession alive then dished off her seventh assist of the game to Power-Cassidy on the left wing for three making it 40-28.
- Holy Cross missed their first six shots of the fourth quarter as Navy put together seven straight markers to drop the margin to 53-45. Senior Kelly Petro halted the hosts' momentum connecting on long range attempt. Navy continued to battle pulling within seven on a Coleman second chance lay-in, but Ezemma countered on the other end reestablishing a three possession lead at 58-49 at the media timeout. There was a three minute lull in scoring and Navy had to foul late, however Holy Cross hit their freebies to complete the win,
OUTSIDE THE BOX:
- LaBarbera has now double-doubled in her last three games and five of her last six. Holy Cross is 4-2 in those contests.
- LaBarbera's eight assists were a season-best.
- Demski made her first career start and finished the game with seven points in 24 minutes.
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross is scheduled to play on Sunday, January 2nd at home against PL opponent Loyola (Md.) with tip-off slated for noon.
