WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior guard Avery LaBarbera scored all 16 of her points during the first half and came down with a game-best 14 rebounds in a 63-57 Holy Cross women's basketball Patriot League victory over Lafayette.

LaBarbera double-doubled for the eighth consecutive game and 10th time this season. She shot 7-for-14 (50%) from the floor and dished out a contest-best seven dimes for the Crusaders (11-6, 5-1 PL). Sophomore Bronagh Power-Cassidy poured in 13 points hitting 5-of-10 (50%) shots including three triples. Senior Oluchi Ezemma reached double figures for the second straight contest dropping 10 points in 20 minutes off the bench. Sophomores Janelle Allen and Cara McCormack were also factors for Holy Cross. Allen had nine points, five boards, one steal, and one assist while McCormack scored eight points and snared five boards across 25 minutes.

Makayla Andrews paced the Leopards (7-8, 3-2 PL) with 15 points and three rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders took their first edge 4-3 in the first quarter as junior Addisyn Cross kept the possession alive with an offensive rebound and dished the rock to senior Madison Demski for the second chance deuce. At the end of the quarter, LaBarbera canned a trifecta to give the Holy Cross a seven point edge, 24-17.
• An 8-0 second quarter opening binge for the Leopards regained the lead towards their side. Holy Cross eventually jumped ahead 34-30 via a LaBarbera fast break scoop, but Abby Antognoli manufactured a triple to put her squad down one at the intermission.
• Holy Cross came out of the locker room putting an emphasis on their defense and forced Lafayette to miss their first nine shot attempts in the third quarter. The Leopards finished the period shooting 2-for-11 (18.2%) for seven total points. Meanwhile, the hosts used an 11-2 binge which McCormack ended via a baseline floater to open up a 10 point, 45-35 lead. Ezemma kept her team in the driver's seat by multiple possessions thanks to a second chance put back.
• A Power-Cassidy corner three-ball assisted by LaBarbera gave Holy Cross their biggest lead of the game, 61-44. 11 straight Leopard markers put them behind only two possessions with 39 seconds left. Lafayette did not foul and Ezemma iced the game with a layup off the window.

• Holy Cross last started the Patriot League slate 5-1 back in the 2005-06 season.
• LaBarbera has double-doubled in 10 of the last 11 games for the Crusaders. LaBarbera is averaging 16.3 points and 11.6 rebounds in that span helping Holy Cross to an 8-3 record.

• Holy Cross faces a big test on Saturday when they travel to league opponent Bucknell with tip-off slated for 2:00 p.m.