Holy Cross women's basketball: Crusaders' five-game win streak ends at New Hampshire

DURHAM, N.H. — A sixth straight win before exam break would've been nice for the Holy Cross women's basketball team, but the Crusaders will have to settle for a 6-3 mark entering a nine-day hiatus.

Ashley Storey scored 23 points, and Caroline Soucy had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead New Hampshire over HC, 74-62, on Sunday at Lundholm Gymnasium.

Lauren Manis notched her eighth double-double in nine games, with 22 points and 10 boards.  Oluchi Ezemma matched a career best with eight points, and had two blocks and two steals.

"Give UNH credit," HC coach Bill Gibbons said. "They out-toughed us, and we failed to do the things we needed to do."

This game fell during Holy Cross' reading period before the beginning of semester final exams, which run Tuesday through Saturday. Gibbons noted that playing games so close to exams can be tough on the players.

"I told them you have to be locked in if we're going to do the things we need to do," said Gibbons, who noted he'll try to avoid scheduling a game next season so close to exams. "But (the exams) aren't an excuse; New Hampshire did the thinks they needed to do; they played it as if this were their Super Bowl."

The Crusaders led, 16-13, after one quarter and by as many as nine (27-18) with 5:15 left in the first half before the Wildcats (3-7) went on a 11-point spurt, capped by a Soucy 3-pointer with 1:51 to play.

Avery LaBarbera and Megan Swords each hit free throws to tie the game at 29, and Maggie Locke converted a buzzer-beating layup to give HC a 31-29 halftime lead.

There were three ties and five lead changes in the third quarter, and Holy Cross led by four at one point, but UNH ran off seven points over the final 1:48, and the Wildcats led, 51-45, entering the final period.

Manis had 10 points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter, but UNH pulled away, building 68-54 lead with 1:14 to play.

"I'm not a good-loss guy, but this may serve as a wake-up call," Gibbons said.

The Crusaders next play Dec. 19, hosting Manhattan, and visit Bryant on Dec. 30 before beginning Patriot League play after at home against Colgate Jan. 3.