Nov. 24, 2007

Box Score

Brooklyn, N.Y. - Junior guard Jessica Pearson (West Chester, Pa.) tied her career-high nine points as the Holy Cross women's basketball team fell to Long Island University, 70-51, in the championship game of the LIU Turkey Classic at the LIU Wellness Center. The Crusaders fall to 3-3 while the Blackbirds now stand at 4-2.

LIU jumped out to an early 7-1 lead as Mikaelar Whippy led the offense, scoring four points. Back and forth traffic on the court racked up points for both teams with the Crusaders' Briana McFadden hitting a three-pointer and tying the game at 13-13. Holy Cross hung onto a short-lived five point lead over the Blackbirds giving up two layups, allowing LIU to get within one. The Blackbird maintained the lead heading into halftime, making the score 31-23.

LIU continued the offensive control of the game entering the second half holding as high as a 22 point lead over the Crusaders. The Blackbirds never let up, finishing with a 70-51 victory and named the LIU Turkey Classic champions.

Sophomore guard Briana McFadden (Wheaton, Md.) tallied seven points, four rebounds and one steal while sophomore guard Bethany O'Dell (Lincoln, R.I.) had seven points, three rebounds, one assist and a block. Senior forward Ashley McLaughlin (Andover, Mass.) led the Crusaders in rebounds with five while chipping in six points and an assist.

The Crusaders host Buffalo on Tuesday, November 27, with a game scheduled at 7:00 p.m.