BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Holy Cross women's basketball team was downed 70-60 by Patriot League opponent Lehigh Saturday afternoon in Stabler Arena.
The setback snaps the Crusaders nine game win streak and sends them to 13-6 and 7-1 in conference action. Lehigh improves to 12-7 and 4-4 in league play.
Four players reached double-digit points for the Crusaders including sophomore
Kaitlyn Flanagan who scored a season-high 13 points with three assists. Senior
Bronagh Power-Cassidy added 13 points as well.
For Lehigh, Lily Fandre double-doubled with 11 points and a game-best 14 rebounds. Meghan O'Brien, a career 25.5 percent three-point shooter canned a personal-best four threes on four attempts (100 percent) for 15 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A pair of early three-pointers by senior Cara McCormack put the Crusaders ahead 6-5 early in the first. Lehigh went on a 15-2 run to lead 20-8 before McCormack drilled a three at the buzzer making it 20-11.
- Holy Cross used a 9-2 run in the second starting with a senior Callie Wright layup and ending with a Power-Cassidy baseline jumper to bring the margin to four, 24-20 at the media timeout. 11 consecutive markers out of the timeout reestablished the double-digit lead for the Mountain Hawks at 35-20 forcing the Crusaders into a timeout. The guests trailed 37-26 at the half.
- Lehigh knocked down two threes early before back-to-back junior Lindsay Berger jumpers brought it to a 12 point game, 43-30. From there another Mountain Hawk scoring outburst expanded the margin to 54-33 through three.
- A 16-5 start to the fourth for Holy Cross dropped the deficit to 10, 59-49 with 3:49 to go thanks to a sophomore Simone Foreman turnaround jumper in the paint. A McCormack deep three brought the margin to single figures at 60-52. A Flanagan layup made it 63-56, but Lehigh hung on for the win.
OUTSIDE THE BOX:
- The Crusaders' undefeated start in conference play was spoiled by Lehigh on the road for the second straight year.
- The 70 points were the most the Crusaders gave up this season.
- Lehigh's 11 three-pointers were the most against the Crusaders this season.
- Holy Cross is 0-5 since 2022-23 when an opponent reaches 70 points.
POSTGAME THOUGHTS:
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross is back at home on Monday, Jan. 29 for a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network against league rival Boston University (13-6, 5-3 PL) in a rematch of the 2023 Patriot League Championship Game at 4 p.m.
- Fans can purchase tickets for the single-admission White Out doubleheader through the Holy Cross Ticket Office.
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross women's basketball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossWBB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrosswbb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Women's Basketball | Holy Cross Athletics
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