BALTIMORE – Junior guard
Simone Foreman recorded her fifth career double-double as the Holy Cross women's basketball team began Patriot League play picking up their fourth straight victory a 49-46 decision at Loyola (Md.) Thursday evening in Reitz Arena.
The double-double was the second of the season for Foreman as she scored 10 of her 14 points in the second half for the Crusaders (8-4, 1-0 PL). She matched a personal-best with 14 rebounds – six offensive. Classmate
Kaitlyn Flanagan chipped in nine points with three assists and a block for Holy Cross.
For Loyola (Md.) (6-6, 0-1 PL) Koi Sims was two points shy of a double-double scoring eight points to go with a contest-high 16 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Junior Mary-Elizabeth Donnelly broke the scoreless stretch for the Crusaders canning a wing triple for the 4-3 deficit. Five straight markers from Flanagan jumpstarted a 9-2 Crusader run. Sophomore Kendall Eddy drained a corner triple for the first Holy Cross edge at 11-10. They led 12-10 through 10 minutes.
- The Crusader run continued into the second stanza as it grew to a 25-10 scoring stretch. A burst of 10 consecutive markers with Foreman and Donnelly connecting on triples gave the guests their largest lead of the first half 26-14 at the 3:04 mark. They led 28-18 at the intermission.
- The Greyhounds began the third by burying a triple trimming the deficit to seven, 28-21. Junior Meg Cahalan countered with a three of her own to regain the double-digit margin. Holy Cross was in front 37-28 through three.
- Foreman's 14th point of the battle increased the Holy Cross lead to 45-35. Loyola slowly chipped away late coming within five, 45-40 with 2:43 left. A few possessions later, Cahalan scored a clutch bucket off a baseline out-of-bounds play for the 47-40 lead. After Holy Cross split a pair of free throws, the Greyhounds converted a corner three-ball putting them down four, 48-44 with 29 seconds left. Holy Cross turned the ball over and Loyola got two points trailing 48-46. Holy Cross again split free throws and Loyola heaved a half court shot that was well off before the horn sounded.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Crusaders have started Patriot League play 1-0 for the fourth straight season and have wins in five of the last six conference openers.
- Holy Cross has held their opponents under 20 points in a half for the third straight game (vs. Marist: 19 (1H), at Northeastern: 16, (1H), at Loyola (Md.): 18 (1H)).
- The Crusaders have won six straight games at Loyola (Md.) dating back to the 2018-19 season.
- Donnelly has secured double-digit rebounds in three straight contests.
- Over the last four games, opponents are shooting 19.7 percent (15-of-76) from deep against the Crusaders.
POSTGAME THOUGHTS:
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross opens their home Patriot League slate on Sunday, Jan. 5 against American (0-12, 0-1 PL).
- Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. and tickets are on sale through the Holy Cross Ticket Office
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
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Twitter - @HCrossWBB | @goholycross
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