Colin Healy ‘25
Sports Editor
In the early days of their Patriot League title defense, the Holy Cross Women’s Basketball team headed into the Thanksgiving break with a 2-3 record. Back to back home victories against Brown and UMass-Lowell brought the team to 2-1 and a clean record on home court, but two losses on the road brought the team to its current position.
Against UMass-Lowell, the team jumped out to a fast start thanks to 8 first quarter points from senior forward Janelle Allen. The Crusaders began the game with a 14-2 run and were up 18-10 at the end of one. A strong second quarter from HC increased the lead to 31-17 at halftime, with Cara McCormack, Lindsay Berger, and Grace Munt joining Allen on the score sheet.
A low-scoring third quarter allowed the River Hawks to chip into the Crusader lead, but it would prove to be insurmountable. Behind Allen leading the way with 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, Holy Cross took down the River Hawks 51-41. Cara McCormack poured in 13 points of her own in 36 minutes of work.
Next, the Crusaders boarded the bus for Long Island to take on Stony Brook on November 19. This game saw another quick start, though the Crusaders found themselves on the wrong end this time around. Stony Brook led 24-5 after the first quarter and never looked back. The Crusaders fell 68-55. Janelle Allen again led the scoring with 17 points, and fellow senior Bronagh Power-Cassidy added 15.
Following the loss, the Crusaders hit the road again to face Villanova for their final game before the holiday. As a Big East powerhouse, the Wildcats are one of the toughest teams on the non-conference schedule for Holy Cross.
The Crusaders battled out of the gate to keep the game close. A 9-0 run to end the first quarter gave Villanova a 26-14 lead, but HC answered in the second quarter. Good team play helped the Crusaders cut the deficit by five heading into halftime. The Crusaders would come within five points of the lead in the third quarter, but the Wildcats eventually pulled away. Unable to muster a late game run, Holy Cross dropped the contest by way of a 63-53 score.
Once classes resume, the Crusaders will have six more non-conference games before they open Patriot League play and officially begin their title defense. First up are road contests against Stonehill on November 29 and Vermont on December 3. The team will return to Hart on December 7, travel to Quinnipiac on December 10, and round out the non-conference schedule by hosting Northeastern and Merrimack before Christmas.
The Crusaders are the favorites to repeat as champions of the Patriot League, but the team will certainly stay vigilant throughout the season. Boston University, whom the Crusaders downed in last year’s championship game, looms as a top threat to the league championship. Rest assured, Holy Cross will be well tested and ready once the Patriot League portion of the schedule begins. Be sure to catch the Crusaders in action on December 7 at Hart!
Featured image: Holy Cross Women’s Basketball Celebrating, courtesy of Go HolyCross
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