Final Stats

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Lafayette women's basketball team pieced together its most complete game of the year and scored a season-best 29 points in the fourth quarter to close out an 85-70 Patriot League road win against Holy Cross on Wednesday night in the Hart Center.

"This was a big win," head coach Theresa Grentz said. "I thought we played so well together and what I enjoyed the most was working and talking with the team throughout the game and seeing them help themselves and each other."

Freshman Olivia Gumbs easily bested her previous career-high in scoring, which was set in the Leopards' last game, after tallying 25 points on 50 percent shooting to go along with a career-high 14 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Gumbs' point total was the most by a Lafayette freshman since Emily Homan '15 scored 26 during the 2011-12 season.

The Newark, Del. native was practically unstoppable, dominating all facets of the game and giving the Leopards (2-22, 1-11 PL) a consistent offensive option from a variety of different spots on the floor.

For the first time this season, the Leopards had four players reach double-figures in scoring. Ashley Lutz was all over the court and had a stellar outing, scoring a season-high 13 points while bringing down 11 boards for her first double-double of the year. Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby and Sammy Stipa both delivered solid efforts, finishing the game with 15 and 12, respectively.

"The team did not quit and played so well together," Grentz stated. "The most satisfying part is to have fought through this and have our three seniors play such an integral part of tonight's win."

Gumbs gave the Crusaders (6-17, 4-8 PL) problems early with her strength in the low block and her ability to stretch the floor with a midrange jumper. To start the game, the freshman scored eight of the team's first 10 points and following a 3-pointer by Lutz, the Leopards led 13-7 midway through the first.

Lafayette fought hard inside the painted area, playing in the low post and dominating the offensive glass, reeling in eight first quarter offensive rebounds. Heading into the second quarter, Lafayette was on top 20-15.

Stipa opened the new quarter with a make from beyond the arc, but Holy Cross would put in five unanswered points to pull within three. However, the Leopards would go back to Gumbs and she continued to work, helping the Maroon and White grab a 33-24 advantage with 5:45 left in the half. Over that remaining time, the Crusaders would outscore the Leopards 12-6 and head into the locker room trailing by three, 39-36.

The Crusaders stayed in the game by using their quickness to generate a bevy of quality looks at the basket. Tricia Byrne was the primary ball handler for Holy Cross and once the Crusaders corralled the rebound, they would give the junior the ball and she would sprint down the floor and dish it out to her open teammates. She would go on to finish the game with 18 points and a game-high nine assists.

Several of those looks coming off Byrne's penetration came from beyond the arc and that helped Holy Cross keep the score close. As a team, the Crusaders hit six 3-pointers in the first half.

Behind a trio of three-point makes by three different Crusaders, Holy Cross used an 11-0 run to begin the third quarter and go ahead 47-39. However, a three by Alexis Santarelli would not only snap the drought and slow down the Crusaders' momentum, but also spark a 22-6 Lafayette run that lasted the final six minutes of the third and the first minute of the fourth.

"When Holy Cross went on that run, we did not panic," Grentz said. "Tonight, there was more of a continuity and harmony with what everyone wanted to do. They believed in each other and I think that made a huge difference."

Lafayette led 61-53, before the Crusaders turned back to the long ball. Holy Cross knocked down several late three-point shots to pull within four, 66-62, but the Leopards worked tirelessly to score inside and they drew a lot of contact. Lafayette went to the line 18 times in the final quarter of action, where they scored 16 of their 29 points to ice the game and walk away with the 85-70 conference victory.

The 85 points scored by the Leopards was the most by a Lafayette team since the 2014 season, when the Maroon and White put up 90 in a win against Colgate.

"I want our team to enjoy this win, but we have to go back to work and be ready to compete on Saturday afternoon against Navy," Grentz stated.

The Leopards will return to College Hill for a Patriot League home tilt against Navy on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. in Kirby Sports Center.