The Holy Cross women's basketball program begins Patriot League play on Friday, Dec. 30 at Bucknell with tip-off slated for 2 p.m. in the Sojka Pavilion. The contest will stream live through ESPN+.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOLY CROSS (8-3, 0-0 PL): 

• Holy Cross concluded nonconference action with an 8-3 mark as Vermont put an end to their five game winning streak with a 64-34 victory on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The Catamounts shot 61.5% (8-of-13) from deep which was the highest clip an opposing team shot against the Crusaders since 66.7% efficiency at Massachusetts (Dec. 18, 2016).
• Junior Janelle Allen was named Patriot League Honorable Mention on Monday for the second time this season. Allen scored a game-best 13 points with four rebounds and one steal against Vermont.
• Junior Bronagh Power-Cassidy is the leading scorer for the Crusaders averaging 11.3 points per game which ranks 13th in the Patriot League. The Crusaders are 6-0 when Power-Cassidy scores in double figures and 2-3 when she does not.
• The Holy Cross defensive unit has picked up where they left off last year. As of Dec. 27, the Crusaders pace the Patriot League in scoring defense (54.7), FG% defense (35.9%) and is second in 3PT FG% defense (26.7%) which ranks 26th, 49th, 58th in the NCAA respectively.
• Senior Addisyn Cross finished nonconference action as the Patriot League leader in steals per game (1.9) and is second in the PL in total steals (19).
• Holy Cross has eight wins by a Division I team which ranks third in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Boston College is first with 11 victories while Massachusetts is second with 10. 
• Since head coach Maureen Magarity arrived on The Hill, Holy Cross is 21-11 (.656) versus Patriot League foes.

SCOUTING THE BISON (4-7, 0-0 PL): 

• Bucknell is looking to avoid a three game losing streak after suffering a 58-51 setback to Buffalo on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Sophomore Cecelia Collins was the lone Bison in double figures scoring a team-best 13 points on 6-of-9 (66.7%) shooting in the defeat.
• Collins was selected to the 2022-23 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team. As a freshman, Collins was an All-Patriot League Second Team and Rookie Team honoree as well as an All-Tournament Team choice. She is tied for third in the conference in assists (3.4), third in average minutes played (34.7), fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.4), seventh in FG% (43.4%) and is 10th scoring (13.4).
• The Bison were projected to finish fourth in the Preseason Poll earning 115 points. They were narrowly behind the Crusaders who totaled 127 points and two first place votes.
• As a team, Bucknell ranks last in the league in rebounding (31.5) and second to last in scoring offense (55.0), but ranks third in scoring defense (61.4)
• Over the last 10 seasons, the Bison have compiled a 207-87 (.704) record, however this season they are 4-7 (.364) out of the gate in nonconference action.

LAST TIME THEY MET: 

• Holy Cross is 47-26 (.644) in the series history against Bucknell dating back to 1991.
• Last year, the Crusaders and Bison split the season series 1-1. Holy Cross earned a thrilling 63-62 overtime win in Lewisburg as then-sophomore Cara McCormack scored 13 points with three triples. In Worcester, Bucknell avenged the loss defeating the hosts 66-49. Cecelia Collins was one point shy of a double-double notching nine points and 10 rebounds in the effort.

 
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