WORCESTER, Mass. – Trailing by nine points at halftime, the Holy Cross women's basketball team rallied to turn that deficit into a 55-44 victory, their fifth in a row against Patriot League opponent American Wednesday evening at the Hart Center Arena.

The Crusaders' (13-6, 7-1 PL) defense put the clamps on the Eagles (11-6, 4-3 PL) during the final 20 minutes outscoring them 37-17 and holding American to 5-for-25 (20%) shooting in the second half. All 10 of the Eagles turnovers came in the final quarters. Holy Cross came to life after struggling in the first half to shoot 14-for-26 (53.8%) on the hardwood and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from deep over the remainder of the game.

Senior Avery LaBarbera produced her 10th straight double-double with game-highs in points (17) and rebounds (12). She also dished out a contest-best four assists and shot 7-for-14 (50%). Forwards, sophomore Janelle Allen and senior Oluchi Ezemma had their way in the post. Allen reached double figures with 10 points and recorded six rebounds while Ezemma was one point shy of a double-double with nine markers and 10 boards.

Jade Edwards and Emily Johns scored 10 points each in the setback for American.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• It was a low scoring first quarter as the Crusaders led 9-6 through the first 10 minutes. Sophomore Bronagh Power-Cassidy cleaned up the offensive boards for a putback to give the Crusaders an 11-8 edge. From there American went on a 12-0 run to take a 20-11 advantage getting an Edwards hoop and harm and back-to-back triples.
• Holy Cross came out of the timeout and produced eight straight points with LaBarbera being the catalyst hitting a floater in the lane, a step-back three, and found Allen in the paint for a deuce to make it a two-point game 20-18. The Eagles closed out the half with the final seven points to lead 27-18 at the intermission.
• The Crusaders came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders via an 11-2 run with junior Addisyn Cross burying a triple in the corner, LaBarbera getting an and1 and senior Madison Demski hitting a left-wing three to even the margin at 29-29.
• American jumped back ahead by two possessions when Bailey Garbee drained a triple to move the score to 34-29. From there Holy Cross used an 11-0 scoring binge into the final quarter to lead 40-34 at the 7:23 mark.
• Following the media timeout Johns was fouled while her layup went through the hoop for the old-fashioned three-point play to drop the deficit to three, 40-37. Holy Cross kept adding points and Power-Cassidy threw in a dagger three on the left-wing for the double-digit edge late.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• The Crusaders' 7-1 start through eight conference games is their best start since they were 8-0 in 2004-05.
• Holy Cross last won five straight games back in the 2018-19 season (Nov. 21-Dec. 5).
• The Crusaders' defensive unit held American to a season-low point total (44) and field goal percentage (26.7%).

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross hits the road this weekend to face-off against conference foe Lehigh (13-6, 5-3 PL) on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.