Trojan women fall in road battle with Holy Cross
Greg Gorham
Box Score Box Score | Season Stats
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Three Trojans finished in double figures, led by senior guard Montanique Washington's 12 points, but the Trinity International women's basketball squad were unable to recover from a late first-half rally, falling to the Holy Cross Saints, 63-52. Washington recorded her second double-double of the season, pulling down a game-high ten rebounds in the loss.
Trinity International (3-11, 0-7 CCAC) got off to a strong start, with Basha Ramsey and Daja Johnson scoring the game's first two buckets and putting TIU out to an early 4-0 lead. Holy Cross (5-12, 2-4 CCAC) answered with a 10-2 run, as three different Saints knocked down three-pointers to put their team in front. During a low-scoring first half, Washington gave the Trojans an 11-10 edge by converting the three-point play at the 10:14 mark.
Making her Trojan debut after joining the team at the start of the new year, JaToya Woods made an impact with two straight scores, pushing TIU ahead by a score of 15-11 with 9:21 until the halftime break. Woods finished with 11 points off 5-of-7 shooting in her first game of the season.
After Kiana Rowland's layup kept the Trojan lead at four points, 17-13, with 8:33 in the first half, Holy Cross answered with nine straight points, to take a 22-17 advantage. The Saints finished on a 16-4 run to close out the half, going into the break with a 29-21 lead.
Senior Abigail Hemmeger cut the lead down to six points to open the second half, but the Trojans were unable to get a stop on the defensive end. Woods and Arielle Miree each scored on back-to-back possessions to again pressure the Saints, but scores on the other end kept Holy Cross in front. The HC lead reached double-digits when Saint senior Lindsey Steffen knocked down a three-pointer with 15:05 to play, making it a 41-30 advantage.
The Trojans made a late run to cut the lead back to single-digits, after the Saints built up a 17-point edge with under seven minutes to play. TIU used a quick 8-0 run, highlighted by a pair of buckets from Washington, to close the gap to 51-42 with 3:02 left in regulation. Washington knocked down a pair of free throws with 2:05 to play, pulling the Trojans to within seven, 53-46. Holy Cross would close the door in the closing minutes, however, outscoring TIU 8-4 down the stretch to earn a 63-52 decision.
Along with Washington and Woods, Clarissa Woodard reached double figures with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Ramsey had a solid game, recording eight point and eight rebounds.
The Trojans will head west next week, as the team returns to Clinton, Iowa on Monday, January 13, to take on the Ashford Saints. The game is a make-up from the postponement on January 7. Tipoff with Ashford is set for 5:30 p.m.
