Holy Cross Secures Patriot League Title
In an exhilarating championship clash, Holy Cross overcame Lehigh with a score of 77-70 on Sunday, securing the Patriot League title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The triumph marks the Crusaders’ 15th journey to March Madness. Known for their competitive prowess, Holy Cross and Lehigh have dominated the Patriot League in recent years, with the duo clinching five of the last six championships between them.
Standout Performances
The evening’s standout performances came from Kaitlyn Flanagan, Meg Cahalan, and Simone Foreman, each contributing 16 points to Holy Cross’s victory. Flanagan’s critical three-pointer increased the squad’s lead to 63-53 with just six minutes remaining in regulation. Lehigh made a spirited effort to rally back, narrowing the deficit to 69-63 in the final moments, but Holy Cross showcased composure by sinking all eight of their free-throw attempts in the last 40 seconds.
Lehigh’s Belle Bramer delivered a formidable performance, scoring 24 points, while Leia Edwards added 17 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists coming off the bench. Lily Fandre also contributed 10 points for Lehigh, who finished their season at 17-14.
Game Progression
Holy Cross started strong, leading 17-11 after the first quarter. By the end of the first half, the Crusaders had pushed their advantage to 32-20, but Lehigh fought back with mid-range jumpers and a three-pointer by Edwards, narrowing the gap to 32-27 at halftime. Flanagan led the Crusaders in the first half with nine points and four assists.
The third quarter saw Holy Cross assert their dominance with consecutive jump shots from Cahalan and a layup by Flanagan, which extended the lead to 54-45 just before the quarter concluded. This victory also highlighted the struggles of the top-seeded teams, with the last top seed to secure the tournament title being American University in 2015.
