This past Wednesday, the two Holy Cross basketball teams faced the Indiana Northwest RedHawks. Both teams took a loss, as the women’s team fell 62-53 and the men’s team lost 69-57.
Women’s game
The RedHawks started off the game well as they put up the first two points, but a quick response from senior guard Jordyn Smith and senior forward Grace Adams brought the Saints ahead 6-2. The RedHawks tied up the score before a jump shot from Adams and a three-point shot from freshman forward Allie Caldwell made the score 11-6. A 10–0 run from the RedHawks allowed them to take the 16-11 lead, but a three-pointer from senior guard Kayliana Hammel made the score 16-14 in Indiana Northwest's favor at the end of the quarter.
Indiana Northwest started off the second quarter with two points, making the score 18-14, but after a shooting foul, Caldwell hit a free throw to make the score 18-15. Five more points from Indiana Northwest extended the lead to 23-15, but a jumper from Adams and a three-point shot from sophomore forward Brooke Lindesmith narrowed the score back to 23-20. After a 7-0 run from the RedHawks, the score became 30-20, but a three from Caldwell brought it to 30-23. Four points from Indiana Northwest then made the score 32-23, but a buzzer-beater from Caldwell made the score 34-25 at the half.
Caldwell started off the third quarter with a jump shot to make the score 34-27, but three points from the RedHawks in response put them up by 10. The Saints came back, going on a 6-0 run that closed the gap to 37-33, but Indiana Northwest responded with an 8-0 run, making the score 45-33. Nearing the end of the quarter, Caldwell put up two points, but the RedHawks scored the final two points, staying ahead 47-35.
Indiana Northwest posted the first points of the final quarter, but a quick response from junior guard Audrey Tallent brought the score to 49-37. Two more points went up from the RedHawks, but Adams put in a three-point shot and a jump shot before freshman guard Lilly Toppen added a layup to bring the score to 51-44. A 4-0 run from the RedHawks made the score 55-44, but a layup from Hammel and a layup from Adams brought the score to 55-48. In the back-and-forth quarter, the RedHawks came out on top, taking the 62-53 win.
Adams led the Saints on both ends of the floor, as she finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Saints now look ahead to face Calumet on Saturday, Feb. 1, starting at 2 p.m.
Men’s game
Indiana Northwest started off the half going on a 20-0 run to take the lead over the Saints, but after a shooting foul, senior guard Justin O’Neal put in two free throws and freshman forward Davide Brembilla added a jump shot, bringing the score to 20-4. The RedHawks added another three-point shot to make the score 23-4, but layups from freshman forward Karl Birgisson, Brembilla and senior guard Justin Milch ahead of a three-point shot from junior guard Drew Adzia made the score 23-13. After a free throw from the RedHawks, senior guard Phil Robles II added three points, and Brembilla made a jump shot to bring the score to 24-18. In a continued back-and-forth contest, the RedHawks remained ahead 31-22 heading into halftime.
Sophomore guard Joey Garwood started off the second half scoring six points for the Saints, making the score 31-28. The RedHawks responded with a 6-0 run before Garwood put in three more points, making the score 37-31. Five points from the RedHawks were quickly followed by O’Neal scoring seven points to make the score 42-38. A 9-0 run from the RedHawks kept them ahead 51-38, but Robles drained a three-point shot to make it 51-41. After a 7-0 run from Indiana Northwest, O’Neal added two points and Garwood added two points, bringing the score to 58-48. As the offensive battle continued, the RedHawks closed out the 69-57 win.
O’Neal led the Saints on offense, scoring 22 points and adding eight rebounds. Holy Cross will face Calumet on Saturday, Feb. 1, starting at 4 p.m.
