Mid Massachusetts News

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SQUARES OFF WITH AMERICAN SATURDAY

The Holy Cross women's basketball returns home to the Hart Center Arena on Saturday for a 2 p.m. battle with Patriot League opponent and defending conference tournament champion American. The contest will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston and streamed live on ESPN+.

 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOLY CROSS (18-5, 10-2 PL): 

• The Crusaders became the second team in the conference to reach 10 victories after a 67-49 win on the road at Lafayette on Wednesday. Junior Bronagh Power-Cassidy scored a game-high 22 points matching a career-high with four assists while classmate Cara McCormack got hot in the fourth quarter scoring nine of her 13 markers late.
• Power-Cassidy was named Patriot League Honorable Mention for her efforts at Navy last week. Power-Cassidy shot 50% (7-of-14) from the floor, 4-for-4 (100%) at the free throw line, came down with three rebounds and dished out two assists to go with one steal in the winning effort. Nine of her 20 points came in the second quarter.
• Over the last four games, Power-Cassidy has averaged 19.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals shooting 56.1% (32-of-57) from the hardwood and 45.0% (9-of-20) from beyond the arc. Power-Cassidy has back-to-back 20+ point efforts scoring 20 points at Navy (2/4) and 22 points at Lafayette (2/8).
• Freshman Simone Foreman was also selected as Patriot League Honorable Mention. She produced 16 points and a career-high matching seven rebounds in the 71-52 win at Navy on Saturday afternoon. Foreman shot 50% (4-of-8) from the field and set personal bests in free throw conversions (8) and free throw attempts (10) for 80% conversion percentage. Foreman dished out an assist, blocked a shot and came away with a steal.
• Currently, the Crusaders rank ninth in the NCAA in scoring defense allowing 54.0 points per game. Holy Cross has held Patriot League opponents under 50 points in six of their 12 matchups.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES (5-18, 4-8 PL): 

• American has lost two straight games and eight of their last 10 after falling 59-40 to Mid Major no. 25 ranked Boston University on Wednesday morning. Not one player scored in double figures, but Laura Nogues dropped nine points in 20 minutes off the bench.
• Emily Johns is the leading scorer for the Eagles ranking 10th in the conference in scoring at 13.1 points per game. Johns comes in at sixth in the league in field goal percentage (46.5%).
• The Eagles rank last in the Patriot League in rebound margin (-6.6), rebounds per game (31.7) and turnovers per game (20.2) which rank 324th, 327th and 334th in the NCAA.
• American is 2-8 (.200) on the road this year and is 15-31 (.326) away from D.C. the last four seasons.
• As a team, the Leopards rank second in the conference in steals per game (6.8) trailing only American (8.3).

LAST TIME THEY MET: 

• Holy Cross is 25-21 (.543) in the series history against American dating back to 2000.
• Holy Cross earned a 62-45 win the last time out against American holding the Eagles to 17 points in the second half on Jan. 5. Junior Janelle Allen double-doubled with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
• The Crusaders are 14-8 (.636) in the Hart Center Arena against the Eagles

Original source can be found here