WORCESTER, Mass. – The Leopards' big third quarter wasn't quite enough as they dropped their second Patriot League contest of the season, 57-56, to Holy Cross Wednesday morning.

The Leopards (4-8, 1-2 PL) were led by junior Drew Freeland who had a season-high 16 points. Seniors Alexis Santarelli, Sarah Agnello and sophomore Nicole Johnson all put up nine points each and senior Tasha Vipond was right behind them with eight.

Lafayette kept up a tight game through the first half going into the locker room down only nine. It would be an explosive third period that would put them on the verge of winning its second Patriot League game.

Down 34-25 at the start of the third period, Agnello started things off for the Leopards with a fast break in the paint off an assist by Freeland to start the close the gap. Both Agnello and Johnson drew fouls and Agnello added another two-points to cut the Crusaders (10-4, 3-0  PL) lead down to two.

Freeland continued her big game at the five and a half minute mark, with a big jump shot to give the Leopards the lead, 37-36. The Crusaders would try to retake the lead but the Leopards continued to pour on the points to give themselves a three-point lead heading into the final period.

They outscored the Crusaders 20-8 in the third period alone.

Holy Cross battled back early in the fourth to tie-up the game 45-45 before they went up by three. Johnson drew a foul to set herself up for two free throws, making both and putting the game once again in a tie at 50 before the Crusaders took a four-point lead.

With just over a minute to go, the Maroon and White tied the game up once again at 54 and a Holy Cross foul put Johnson once again, at the line for two. She made both to put the Leopards up 56-54 with 21 seconds left on the clock.

Holy Cross tied-up the game again with eight seconds left in the game and drew a foul to put themselves at the line, making the one free throw they needed to win the game.

Junior Natalie Kucowski added 11 rebounds to her climbing season total. She is now at 828 total career rebounds, 17 away from moving into second all-time. She also led the team with six assists, marking a season-high.

Lafayette returns home Saturday for a 2 p.m .tip-off with Loyola.