NORTH ANDOVER, Mass – Led by junior Bronagh Power-Cassidy's game-high 19 points, the Holy Cross women's basketball team started their 2022-23 season with a 67-39 victory against nonconference foe Merrimack, Monday evening on Hammel Court.

The Crusaders (1-0) defense altered the Warriors (0-1) shots in the paint and on the perimeter holding their opponents to 30.9% (17-of-55) shooting and 13.6% (3-of-22) from distance. Holy Cross used a balanced effort with every player recording points while no one played over 26 minutes. HC's bench outscored MC's 30-to-2 in the showdown.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holy Cross opened up an early 7-2 lead getting a senior Addisyn Cross wing three-pointer assisted by freshman Kaitlyn Flanagan. A few possessions later, Power-Cassidy swatted a shot on low block which resulted in a junior Janelle Allen spin post move on the other end to lead 9-4.
• The Crusader lead increased to 10, 14-4 when Allen passed out of a double team to an open Power-Cassidy for the trifecta.
• In the second quarter, the Crusaders went on a 20-4 run to lead 35-11. Freshman Simone Foreman slashed through the right side for the hoop and harm off the window. Holy Cross led 40-20 at the break.
• Sophomore Lindsay Berger picked up a loose ball and drove the length of the floor. She slowed down at the free throw line and hit the trailer, Flanagan for the wing three to lead 45-22 at the 6:44 mark.
• With time winding down in the third, Cross made a slick pass to the corner where sophomore Lauren Huber canned a wide open jumper at the buzzer to push the Crusaders ahead 51-27.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• Power-Cassidy scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half.
• Holy Cross scored 25 points in the second quarter. The last time they scored 25 points in a quarter was January 9, 2021 at Army (third quarter, 28).
• Cross' eight rebounds were a career-high.
• Berger stuffed the stat sheet with six points, a game-high five assists, four rebounds and three steals going a perfect 4-for-4 at the charity stripe.
• In her collegiate debut, Foreman was the second leading scorer (nine points) and rebounder (seven) for the Crusaders and tallied a +28 when she was on the court.
• Merrimack led for only the first 24 seconds of the game.

POSTGAME THOUGHTS: 

Win #1 in the ?? 

Hear from @CoachMagarityHC and @bronaghpc13. #GoCrossGo pic.twitter.com/50uGBSEfos
— Holy Cross Women's Basketball (@HCrossWBB) November 8, 2022
 

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders travel to Big East opponent Marquette on Friday, November 11.
• Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT.

 
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