The Holy Cross women's basketball team is back in action after a bye week to host Boston University on Saturday, Feb. 8 during Winter Homecoming in the Hart Center Arena at 3 p.m. The contest will be broadcast regionally on NESN and through the NESN360 app.
 
Saturday is the 50th Anniversary of women's basketball at Holy Cross as well as Winter Homecoming. Alumnae of the program will be recognized during the game and the Holy Cross Club of Greater Worcester will present The Rev. George L. O'Brien Award to the game MVP.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOLY CROSS (14-7, 7-3 PL): 

• The Crusaders have lost two straight games for the first time this season falling to Lehigh 60-47 in Bethlehem last Saturday. Junior Mary-Elizabeth Donnelly scored 13 points with nine rebounds and three steals in the setback.
• The Crusaders have been locked in the last five games on defense. They're holding opponents to 47.0 points per game on 33.6 percent (83-of-247) shooting and 22.7 percent (20-of-88) shooting from deep. They have a +10.2 scoring margin and have a +6.2 rebound margin.
• The Crusaders have only had their shot blocked 37 times this season which ranks tied for fourth fewest in the NCAA.
• On the year, the Crusaders rank third in the Patriot League in scoring defense (56.5) and third in three-point percentage defense (27.4) which is 33rd and 40th in the NCAA.
• Over the last three seasons, Holy Cross is 44-12 (.786) at home in the Hart Center Arena compared to 34-27 (.557) on the road.

SCOUTING THE TERRIERS (8-13, 2-8 PL): 

• BU is coming off a 72-68 setback to Loyola (Md.) last Saturday. Allison Schwertner scored a team-high 22 points on 80 percent (8-of-10) shooting while Alex Giannaros chipped in 20 points.
• Giannaros was named Preseason All-Patriot League back in October. She is tied for first in the conference in three-pointers (50), ranks second in three-pointers per game (2.4), fourth in minutes per game (34.1) and sixth in scoring (14.2).
• Schwertner is a four-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week selection most recently earning the honor on Jan. 20. She is the Terriers' leading rebounder (4.6) and ranks second on the team in scoring (8.3) and field goal conversions (73).
• As a team the Terriers struggle with rebounding as they rank last in the Patriot League in rebounds per game (30.9) which ranks 344th out of 349 teams in the NCAA.

LAST TIME THEY MET: 

• The Crusaders are 24-16 (.600) in the series history against the Terriers which began in 1975. Holy Cross is 13-6 (.684) in the Hart Center Arena against BU.
• In their last meeting on Jan. 27, BU earned a 52-49 win in Boston. Anete Adler scored 19 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

Be the Power of Purple and celebrate Holy Cross' 10th Giving Day on February 7 & 8 — because when you make a gift, you make an impact!
 
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross women's basketball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
X - @HCrossWBB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrosswbb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Women's Basketball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross