Jan. 9, 2010
Box Score
WORCESTER, Mass. - Lafayette's Patriot League opener at Holy Cross was not one for the faint of heart, with eight lead changes and no more than a six-point lead for either squad, but it was the Leopards who came out on top of the 43-39 decision.
The game came down to the final seconds, but a successful one-and-one opportunity by Amanda Leone, followed by LaKeisha Wright's block with three seconds on the clock, clinched the win, snapping Lafayette's six-game slide. The victory also marked the Leopards' first win in seven tries against Holy Cross.
Defense was the name of the game, as Lafayette (3-12, 1-0) held the Crusaders (4-12, 0-1) to just 39 points, the second-fewest scored by Holy Cross this season and the fewest scored by a Lafayette opponent since 1994 (Fordham, 39 points). The Crusaders' leading scorer, Bethany O'Dell (15.6 ppg) was held without a field goal and had just two points on two free throws.
Elizabeth Virgin and LaKeisha Wright added 10 points apiece for Lafayette. The Leopards were particularly active on the glass, pulling down a season-high 46 boards, led by Wright's career-tying 10.
Two quick Holy Cross turnovers and a 2-0 Lafayette lead forced the Crusaders to burn a timeout just 1:30 into the game. The Leopards took an early 6-3 edge with four points coming off two Wright baskets.
Points were at a premium with the score remaining 6-3 after nearly eight minutes of action, with all three Holy Cross points coming from Briana McFadden free throws.
The Crusaders went ahead, 7-6, on a Whitney Fremeau layup at 11:27. The lead proceeded to switch hands with neither team taking more than a one-point advantage until an Amanda Smith jumper at 4:36 made it 14-11 Leopards.
Another Smith jumper handed the Leopards a game-high five-point edge, 16-11, with 1:10 to play, but three Holy Cross free throws over the final 36 seconds cut it to a two-point game (17-15) at the half.
The teams traded baskets to open the final 20 minutes. Holy Cross's Amy Lepley tied it at 21 at the 14:42 mark with her third basket of the half and it remained tied (23-23) three minutes later.
McFadden drained a three, just her second basket of the game, to put her squad ahead 30-24 with less than 10 minutes remaining. Wright countered with a trey less than three minutes later to make it 31-30 Lafayette and Melissa Downey followed with a jumper for a 33-30 score.
Downey sank the team's second three-pointer in a three-minute span to put Lafayette ahead 38-32 and force Holy Cross to use a timeout in an effort to stop the Leopards' 6-2 run.
Holy Cross pulled within one (38-37), with 1:30 to play. Exactly one minute later, Leone converted on the one-and-one to put Lafayette up 42-37 and Wright's block clinched the win.
The Leopards finally return home on Wednesday to host Patriot League foe Colgate at 7 p.m.
Postgame Notes:
-LaKeisha Wright's double-double was her second of the season, as well as the second of her career.
- Amanda Leone finished with a season-best five points and career-high three rebounds in 16 minutes of action, also a career mark.
- Other season highs: Elizabeth Virgin (8 rebounds), Amanda Smith (7 points).
- Lafayette was without its leading scorer, Lauren Jackson, and freshman Alicia Manning for the final 17 minutes due to injury.
- Wednesday's game vs. Colgate is CBL night. All coaches, players and organizers obtain complimentary admission. The squad with the largest number of team players at the game receives a free clinic from the Lafayette basketball team following the game.
