BOSTON - The Holy Cross women's basketball team was defeated 66-59 in a Turnpike Trophy contest against Patriot League foe Boston University Wednesday evening at the Case Gymnasium.
The Terriers (19-6, 14-0 PL) erased a 15 point second quarter deficit to remain undefeated in conference action. Their defense locked in during the second half holding the Crusaders (18-7, 10-4 PL) to only 18 points over the final 20 minutes.
Four players reached double-digits for Holy Cross. Juniors
Janelle Allen and
Cara McCormack had 11 points each while Allen handed out four assists. Senior
Addisyn Cross and freshman
Kaitlyn Flanagan chipped in 10 points each.
For Boston University, Sydney Johnson had a game-high 17 points with six rebounds and seven assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- BU built an early 6-2 lead as Alex Giannaros drove from the right wing to increase the lead to 6-2. Junior Bronagh Power-Cassidy countered with a mid-range jumper to move the Crusaders within two at 6-4. Cross gave the Crusaders their first lead when she banked in a triple on the wing and converted two free throws at the line making it 9-7. BU took a four point lead 13-9 however Cross and McCormack drained back-to-back triples to push ahead 15-13. McCormack pushed the ball on the break and hit a step back three-ball to increase the Crusader lead to 21-15 at the 1:39 mark. Holy Cross led 23-17 after one quarter.
- The Crusaders began the second quarter on a 10-2 run getting three-pointers by Flanagan and McCormack to lead 33-19. The scoring binge improved to 14-5 as freshman Simone Foreman converted two buckets to up the margin to 15, 37-22. BU closed the half on an 11-4 spurt using a Maggie Pina three in the left corner to make it a 41-33 contest at the break.
- The Terrier run increased to 22-6 as they scored 11 early points in the third quarter to take the lead 44-43. Allen regained the lead towards the Crusader side with a second chance bucket and Power-Cassidy drilled a three from the corner to make it 48-44. The contest was deadlocked 50-50 through 30 minutes.
- BU began the fourth on a 7-0 run to take a 57-50 lead with 6:39 to play. The run expanded to nine straight until Flanagan drove the baseline for an and1. She converted a triple to pull the Crusaders within five, 60-55 with 2:14 left to play. Johnson kept her team ahead by five driving from the top of the point. The Crusaders went to the line and split four chances to be down three with 39 seconds left. Johnson took the clock down, slashed through the paint and dished off to Caitlin Weimar for the clinching bucket.
OUTSIDE THE BOX:
- BU was recently ranked no. 22 in the CollegeInsider.Com Mid-Major Top 25 poll.
- Holy Cross shot 64.0% (16-of-25) from the field and 75% (6-of-8) from deep in the first half. In the second half, the Crusaders shot 26.1% (6-of-23) and 33.3% (2-of-6) from beyond the arc.
- Flanagan's four steals matched a career-high.
- Power-Cassidy has recorded four assists in three consecutive games.
- The 15 point lead was the largest the Crusaders have given up in a loss this season.
POSTGAME THOUGHTS:
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders return home for a Senior Day contest and Title IX Celebration on Saturday against Colgate.
- Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
- Season tickets and single-game tickets for the 2022-23 campaign are now on sale through the Holy Cross Ticket Office.
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
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