Jan. 24, 2001
Box Score
Audio from Postgame Press Conference
- Lafayette Coach Pat Fisher
- Lafayette Forward Colleen Fitzpatrick
- Lafayette Guard Christel Rocha
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Christel Rocha scored 19 of her 23 points in the first half and the Leopards dominated Patriot League-leading Holy Cross through the first 27 minutes of play but the three-time defending conference champions pulled ahead to walk out of Kirby Sports Center with the 73-63 win.
Lafayette (4-14, 0-4) took control of the contest in the first half behind Rocha's 6-for-9 shooting from the field and the team's 56.5 percent from the floor as its leading scorer, Jennifer Bayer, was held scoreless through the period. Freshman Colleen Fitzpatrick grabbed six first half rebounds and the Leopards went into the break on top, 36-32.
But Holy Cross (12-7, 5-0) was not about to be beaten without a fight as the Crusaders began creeping back into the contest in the second half. The team pulled to within two points off a three-pointer by Kristin Popovics and took the lead at 47-46 off a three by the team's leading scorer Jeanette Paukert.
The Crusaders shot 44.4 percent from behind the arc and held Rocha to only four second half points on their way to victory.
Fitzpatrick set a new career high with 14 points as she also recorded her first collegiate double-double with 11 rebounds. Dressing for the first game this season after sitting out with a preseason back injury was Lafayette's second leading scorer last season, sophomore Elizabeth Rojahn.
The Patriot League's Player of the Week Monika Rothemich had a team-high 20 points for Holy Cross while Paukert and Amanda Abraham finished with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Lafayette hosts Army on Saturday in the first game of a women's and men's Patriot League doubleheader at Kirby. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased right here at GoLeopards.com.
