WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Holy Cross women's basketball team dominated Army West Point from the opening tip in a 73-59 win Saturday afternoon in Patriot League action at the Christl Arena.

With the win, the Crusaders (19-9, 13-4 PL) earn at least a share of the Patriot League regular-season title. It's the first time winning at least a share since the 2004-05 campaign when they won it outright. The Crusaders need one more win for their first 20-win season since 2013-14 and will set the program's all-time conference win mark (13-1, 2002-03) with 14.

Senior Avery LaBarbera led the way for Holy Cross with game-highs in points (26), rebounds (nine), and assists (eight). Classmate Madison Demski scored 12 points in her seventh career start. Senior Oluchi Ezemma joined her teammates in double-figures with 10 points off 5-of-7 (71.4%) shooting in 20 minutes off the bench.

For Army (15-12, 9-8 PL), Sabria Hunter was one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holy Cross induced a 24-second shot clock violation to start then LaBarbera banged home a three on the next possession to give the Crusaders a 3-0 edge. A Kate Murray three at the 8:02 mark gave the hosts their first lead at 6-5. From there, the Crusaders scored 13 straight including a LaBarbera step-back wing three to lead 18-6 early. The Crusaders had a 22-13 lead through one.
• In the second, Demski drilled a left corner feed via a baseline driving dish from LaBarbera to up the margin to 25-13. With the Crusaders leading by 12, Army scrapped back and dropped their deficit to seven, 27-20. A sophomore Bornagh Power-Cassidy hoop and harm halted the Black Knights' momentum and grew the Crusader lead back to 10, 30-20 with under five minutes in the half. From that point, Holy Cross used a 12-3 spurt to hold a 19-point advantage at the intermission.
• LaBarbera drained a three in the opening stages of the third quarter to open a 20 point, 45-25 lead. A Hope Brown free throw at the 4:06 mark put Army down 15, 15-36. Ezemma converted a second chance layup as the horn sounded opened up a 21 point, 64-43 lead for Holy Cross.
• In the fourth, the Crusaders build up their biggest lead, 25 points, 73-48 on sophomore Janelle Allen's layup.

OUTSIDE THE BOX:

• LaBarbera scored 10 of the first 14 points for the Crusaders in the first quarter.
• LaBarbera's 26 points was the second straight game and the fifth time this month she's recorded 20 or more points in a game.
• As a team, Holy Cross shot a season-best 50.9% (29-of-57) from the hardwood.
• Nine of Demski's 12 markers came in the third quarter.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will look to clinch the regular-season title outright on Wednesday, March 2 at home against Boston University with tip-off slated for 6:00 p.m.