Saints Fall to Olivet Nazarene in Close Game

First Half:

The Holy Cross College women's basketball team finds itself in a tight battle at halftime, trailing Olivet Nazarene University 42-41. The Saints got off to a strong start, holding a 17-16 lead after the first quarter behind efficient shooting and solid rebounding. Jordyn Smith (Granger, IN / Penn HS) led the early effort with 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting, while Grace Adams (Elkhart, IN / Penn HS) contributed on both ends with 3 rebounds and a steal. In the second quarter, Olivet Nazarene edged ahead, outscoring Holy Cross by 1. The Saints remained efficient from the field, shooting 6-15 in the period, but their biggest impact came at the free-throw line, where they converted 11-of-12 attempts. Grace Adams and Kaiden Hanley (Macy, IN / North Miami HS) were perfect from the stripe, while Hanley provided a key boost off the bench with 5 points. At the break, Adams leads the Saints with 7 points and 6 rebounds, while Brooke Lindesmith (Crown Point, IN / Crown Point HS), Allie Caldwell (Zionsville, IN / Zionsville HS), and Hanley each have 4 points. 

Second Half:

After a dominant third quarter, the Holy Cross College women's basketball team was unable to hold off a late surge from Olivet Nazarene University, falling 90-85 in a hard-fought contest. The Saints took control in the third quarter with an explosive 31-point effort, shooting 13-19 from the field and extending their lead to 77-66. Jordyn Smith and Grace Adams led the charge, each scoring 10 points in the quarter, with Smith also adding 4 assists and 2 steals. Allie Caldwell contributed five points, including a three-pointer, while Brooke Lindesmith pulled down 6 rebounds, helping the Saints maintain their edge. However, the momentum shifted in the fourth quarter as the Saints' offense stalled, scoring just 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Lindesmith was one of the bright spots, going 2-for-2 from the field with a three-pointer, while Caldwell added 4 points. Despite their efforts, Holy Cross struggled to generate quality looks, and Adams, who had been a key force earlier, was held to just 1 point in the final period. On the defensive end, the Saints forced 5 steals in the second half, with Smith and Caldwell each grabbing 2, but Olivet Nazarene capitalized on second-chance opportunities and turnovers down the stretch.

Congratulations to Jordyn Smith on an incredible achievement! She is now the all-time leader in both steals (259) and assists (474) for the Saints! Her dedication, hard work, and leadership on the court have left a lasting mark on the program. Here's to celebrating this milestone and the impact she's made at Holy Cross College!