Women's Basketball Falls to IUNW

First Half

The Holy Cross College women's basketball team faced an uphill battle in the first half, heading into the locker room trailing 34-25. Despite a strong start in the opening quarter, the Saints couldn't sustain their offensive momentum as their opponent pulled away before halftime. Jordyn Smith provided an early spark, scoring 4 first-quarter points on efficient shooting to keep the Saints within striking distance. Allie Caldwell (Zionsville, IN / Zionsville HS) and Kayliana Hammel (New Haven, IN / Bishop Dwenger HS) each knocked down a three-pointer, while Grace Adams (Elkhart, IN / Penn HS) contributed 6 points in the paint. However, Holy Cross trailed 16-14 after the first quarter, as they struggled to control the glass, securing just four total rebounds. The second quarter saw the Saints' offensive struggles mount, shooting just 4-for-15 from the field. Caldwell led the charge, finishing the half with 9 points, but Holy Cross struggled to generate high-percentage looks. Adams continued to battle on the boards, securing four rebounds, while Brooke Lindesmith (Crown Point, IN / Crown Point HS) provided a spark off the bench with a three-pointer. Defensively, the Saints forced turnovers but couldn't capitalize on extra possessions, allowing their opponent to build a nine-point lead heading into halftime.

Second Half

Despite a determined second-half effort, the Holy Cross College women's basketball team was unable to erase their halftime deficit, ultimately falling 62-53. Offensive struggles in the third quarter put the Saints in a deeper hole, but a strong fourth-quarter push showcased their resilience. Coming out of the break trailing by nine, Holy Cross struggled to find consistency in the third quarter, shooting just 21% from the field and failing to connect on any of their six three-point attempts. Allie Caldwell and Kayliana Hammel each contributed four points, while the Saints managed to control the boards with 11 rebounds in the paint. However, turnovers and missed opportunities kept them from closing the gap, as they entered the final period down 47-35. In the fourth quarter, Holy Cross found a much-needed offensive spark, shooting 44% from the field and outscoring their opponent 18-15 in the period. Grace Adams took over late, scoring 11 points on an efficient 4-for-5 shooting, while the Saints tightened up defensively, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities. Lilly Toppen (Demotte, IN / Kankakee Valley High School), Audrey Tallent (Plainfield, IN / Plainfield HS), and Hammel each chipped in a bucket, but despite the late-game surge, the deficit proved too much to overcome.