The Holy Cross basketball teams faced off against Indiana University of South Bend (IUSB) on Wednesday. The men’s team took a 76-60 loss, while the women’s team took a 79-66 win.
Women’s game
The Saints started off the first quarter strong, going on a 4-0 run thanks to baskets from sophomore forward Brooke Lindesmith and freshman forward Allie Caldwell. A 6-0 run from IUSB gave it a 6-4 lead, but two free throws from senior guard Jordyn Smith tied up the score. The two teams battled back and forth for the lead, but a 5-0 run from IUSB helped it finished the quarter leading 18-13.
The Saints started off the second quarter as senior guard Kayliana Hammel added a jump shot, but IUSB responded by going on a 7-0 run, bringing the score to 25-15. A three-point shot from Caldwell brought the score to 25-18, but a quick two points from IUSB made the score 27-18. After points scored from both teams, the Saints added a 6-0 run thanks to junior guard Audrey Tallent and sophomore guard Lilly Toppen, who both added a three-point shot, closing the score to 29-26. IUSB added three points, but Hammel added a jump shot, making the score 32-28 at halftime.
In the third quarter the teams went back and forth for points. As IUSB tried to pull ahead, a 4-0 run from the Saints closed the score to 36-34, and even as IUSB managed two more points for itself, senior forward Grace Adams put up three points alongside Toppen, who had two to pull the Saints ahead 39-38. IUSB tied up the score, but a 5-0 run from the Saints kept them ahead 44-39. On a three-point shot from Hammel and two free throws from Caldwell, the Saints finished the quarter ahead 53-45.
IUSB went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter to bring the score within one, but two points from Caldwell made the score 55-52. A three-point shot from IUSB was quickly followed by a three-point shot from Hammel, a free throw from Lindesmith and two jump shots from senior guard Jordyn Smith that made the score 63-55. A three-point shot from IUSB was then followed quickly by a 4-0 run from the Saints, making the score 67-58. In a heated contest for points, the Saints pushed through and came out on top, winning 79-66.
Caldwell led the team with 18 points, and Lindesmith led on the interior with 10 rebounds. The Saints now look ahead to face St. Ambrose on Jan. 25, starting at 2 p.m.
Men’s game
The Saints scored first as senior guard Justin O’Neal put in a layup, but IUSB responded, going on a 22-0 run to make the score 22-2. Sophomore guard Joey Garwood and junior guard AJ Roseman both added on three-point shots to make the score 22-8, but a free throw from IUSB made the score 23-8. Freshman forward Karl Birgisson and senior guard Nash Hostetler then each added a jump shot, bringing the score to 23-12. Exchanging points, the two teams continued to go back and forth, but IUSB outscored the Saints to take the 42-29 lead at the end of the half.
O’Neal scored the first two points of the second half, but that was quickly followed by two points from IUSB, making the score 44-31. Garwood added on six more points for the Saints, closing the score to 44-37, but IUSB responded with three points, making it a 10-point difference. O’Neal kept the ball rolling, putting in another jump shot, but IUSB quickly responded with six points that made the score 53-39. After two more points from O’Neal, IUSB pressed on with a 5-0 run to bring the score to 58-41. After a shooting foul, O’Neal added on two more points, but IUSB put in a three-point shot to bring the score to 61-43. Roseman drained a three-point shot, but IUSB quickly took the ball back, putting up a three-point shot of its own to make the score 63-46. Hostetler got the offense going, shooting a free throw and two three-point baskets, bringing the score to 63-53, but IUSB responded by going on a 6-0 run that brought the score to 69-53. While the two teams added more points to the board, IUSB came out on top, winning 76-60.
O’Neal led on both ends of the court for the Saints, finishing with four rebounds alongside Hostetler, who also had four. The Saints now look ahead to play St. Ambrose on Jan. 25, starting at 3 p.m.
