WORCESTER, Mass. – Holding an eight-point deficit in the third quarter, the Holy Cross women's basketball team rallied using strong performances from senior Madison Demski and sophomore Cara McCormack during a 63-57 comeback victory over Patriot League foe United States Naval Academy Saturday afternoon at the Hart Center Arena.

The Crusaders (17-9, 11-4 PL) snapped a two-game losing skid with the win and moved back into a tie for first place in th league following Boston University's loss to Colgate. Demski was 6-for-10 (60%) shooting for 15 points to go with two rebounds and a blocked shot. McCormack provided a spark off the bench for Holy Cross with a team-high 16 points adding four dimes and a 5-for-10 (50%) shooting performance.

Junior Addisyn Cross had a perfect game shooting the rock (3-for-3 FG, 1-for-1, 3PT, 4-for-4 FT) for 11 points with a contest-high three steals. Senior Avery LaBarbera was two assists shy of a triple-double scoring 11 points, grabbing 11 caroms, and dishing out a game-high eight assists. Navy (7-18, 4-11 PL) was led by Jennifer Coleman's 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

In a pregame ceremony, the Crusaders honored their four seniors, Kelly Petro, Demski, Oluchi Ezemma, and LaBarbera for their contributions to the program and campus community.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Demski began an 8-2 scoring spurt for the Crusaders when she drilled a three from the top of the key assisted by LaBarbera. 10 straight from the Midshipmen pushed them ahead 12-8 at the 2:23 mark, they eventually built their margin up to 18-13 through the first.
• A Lindsay Llewellyn three-pointer upped their lead to the largest of the game, 24-16. The Crusaders kept battling back as a McCormack three and driving slash brought the hosts within four, 30-26 at the intermission.
• Coleman regained the eight-point edge for Navy draining a mid-range jumper. From there, Holy Cross used a 15-4 run getting a Demski block of Coleman and score on the other end off a nice no-look pass by McCormack and a sophomore Bronagh Power-Cassidy baseline cut to lead 41-37 after three stanzas.
• Ahead 41-39, Demski powered home a layup off the window while being fouled to regain the five-point 44-39 lead. A 12-3 Navy outburst capped off by a Kristina Donza three-ball pushed the Mids back in the lead at 51-47 with 4:16 left. LaBarbera went to work drilling a three with the Crusaders down one and another from the top of the point at the 1:44 mark to regain the edge 55-51. Demski connected on a post score in the 8-0 binge for the hosts. With 32 seconds left, Cross stripped Ciera Hertelendy and made both freebies for the eight-point lead late.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• Over their last four games, the Crusaders are 48-for-55 (87.2%) at the free-throw line after shooting 175-for-268 (65.3%) in 22 games prior.
• LaBarbera was two assists shy of a triple-double for the second time this year, both times were against Navy (11 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists at Navy 12/29/21).
• It was the 15th time LaBarbera has double-doubled this season and the 18th time in her career putting her tied for seventh in the program's all-time list (Maggie Fontana – 2001-05, Kris Shields 1987-91).
• LaBarbera started in her 100th career game and grabbed her 600th career rebound in the game.
• Holy Cross had 18 assists on 21 made baskets in the contest.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders begin a two-game road trip next week when they take on Colgate, Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m.