AMHERST, Mass — Holy Cross women's basketball junior forward
Meg Cahalan scored a career-high 23 points as the Crusaders ended their four game road trip with a 75-70 win Wednesday evening against nonconference opponent Massachusetts in the Mullins Center.
The Crusaders (3-2) rallied down eight points 48-40 with 2:50 left in the third outscoring the Minutewomen (2-3) 35-22 over the remainder of the contest. Cahalan's career effort came on 8-of-15 (53.3%) shooting including a 4-of-8 (50%) showing from downtown. She added a team-high seven boards as well.
Cahalan was one of five Crusaders and one of four starters in double figures. Junior
Kaitlyn Flanagan scored 15 points with a career-best three blocks. Junior
Simone Foreman tacked on 12 points with four boards and three assists. Junior
Mary-Elizabeth Donnelly scored an efficient 11 markers going 3-of-6 (50%) from the field. Sophomore
Kendall Eddy added points in 33 minutes off the bench.
Massachusetts was paced by Stefanie Kulesza's 14 point and 10 rebound double-double.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Donnelly gave the Crusaders an early lead draining a triple from the top of the key for the 3-2 edge. Her second chance and1 reverse layup with the free throw increased the score to 6-4. Trailing 10-8 the Minutewomen used a 10-0 run to lead 18-10. Flanagan connected on a buzzer-beater from the wing to bring the deficit to 18-13.
- A 14-5 Crusader run spanning almost five minutes of action capped off by an Eddy transition three-pointer put them back ahead 27-25 at the 3:53 mark. Foreman used a strong take through the rack for the four point advantage 32-28. UMass recorded the final four points of the stanza.
- The Minutewomen started the third on an 8-2 run to lead 40-34. Cahalan connected on a three off a Flanagan feed. A pair of UMass free throws increased the margin to 48-40. Holy Cross trimmed the deficit with six straight points, but the hosts were in front 52-46 through three.
- Holy Cross made a trio of three-pointers to begin the fourth and take a one, point 55-54 advantage. Their margin expanded to five, 63-58 when Foreman drove through the lane for an easy two. UMass tied the contest 63-63 at the 3:06 mark. Holy Cross produced six in a row to lead by six with 37 ticks left. The hosts were forced to foul and the Crusaders closed out the contest at the line.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The last time Holy Cross had five players reach double-digit points was December 8, 2022 at home against Stonehill.
- 15 of Cahalan's 23 points came in the second half with 10 in the fourth quarter.
- The Crusaders were 5-of-8 (62.5%) from three-point range in the fourth.
POSTGAME THOUGHTS:
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross is back in the Hart Center Arena on Saturday, Nov. 23 to take on Boston College in a Cousy Cup showdown.
- Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. and tickets are on sale through the Holy Cross Ticket Office.
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