Marist Red Foxes Drops Close One to Holy Cross

WORCESTER, MA – The Marist women’s basketball team dropped a close one to the Holy Cross Crusaders, 50-46, Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at the Hart Center. With the loss the Red Foxes fall to 0-4 while Holy Cross moves to 1-3.

Rebekah Hand led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds, securing the first double-double of her young career. Claire Oberdorf was the only other Red Fox in double-digits with 10, while Maura Fitzpatrick added nine points.

The Red Foxes jumped out to a 10-2 lead by the time the first media timeout hit. Behind seven points from Rebekah Hand, Marist carried a 12-7 lead into the first break.

Back-to-back triples by Holy Cross gave the Crusaders an 18-17 lead with just under six minutes to go in the second quarter and the teams traded baskets and free throws in route to a 24-24 score at the break. Rebekah Hand led Marist at the break with 12 points while Maura Fitzpatrick chipped in with five points.

Marist pulled ahead again in the third quarter outscoring Holy Cross 11-9 in the period. Claire Oberdorf joined Hand in the double-digit scoring column as the Red Foxes headed to the fourth with a two-point, 35-33, lead.

Holy Cross scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to take a 37-35 lead. A strong take to the hoop by Fitzpatrick led to a three point play for the Red Foxes and a regained advantage. Holy Cross took the lead back until another hoop and a harm, this time for Rebekah Hand tied the game at 41-41 with just over five minutes remaining.

After free throws from Rebekah Hand gave Marist a 43-41 lead, Holy Cross earned a three point play of their own to take a one-point, 44-43, lead with little over three minutes left.
Marist went scoreless for the next two minutes in change while Holy Cross added four and took a 48-43 lead. A straight away triple from Rebekah Hand with :38 seconds remaining pulled the Red Foxes back to within two.

Choosing to forgo fouling the Red Foxes tried to hold strong on defense but fouled with two seconds remaining on the shot clock. The Crusaders made one-of-two from the line as Marist raced down court for a three to tie. The shot fell off the back rim and the rebound was secured by Holy Cross as the Crusaders held on to win.