Holy Cross women's basketball drops 61-58 decision to UMass

WORCESTER — Janelle Allen scored 17 points and Avery LaBarbera added 16 for the Holy Cross women's basketball team in a 61-58 loss to UMass Friday night at the Hart Center.

Allen also had six rebounds in her 27 minutes. Oluchi Esemma had nine points and five rebounds, and Addisyn Cross and Kelly Petro each had a team leading four assists for the Crusaders (1-3), who host Connecticut College at 6 p.m. Monday in the third of the three-game homestand.

Sam Breen led UMass (4-0) with 19 points and 13 rebounds, Sydney Taylor scored 13 points with six rebounds, and Ber'Nyah Mayo added 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

The Crusaders allowed just two 3-point goals but were outrebounded, 48-30.

Holy Cross, which vaulted to a 25-9 lead early in the second quarter, had a one-point edge entering the fourth quarter. With 3:56 left, Allen scored a layup to give HC its last lead at 54-52.

Angelique Ngalakulondi's two free throws and Breen's floating jumper put UMass ahead by two with 2:51 left. Eighteen seconds later, Allen hit one of two from the line before Destiney Philoxy's driving layup gave the visitors a 58-55 lead with 1:43 to play.

Both teams had their chances from there until Taylor hit two from the stripe with 9 seconds on the clock as UMass led, 60-55. Bronagh Power-Cassidy (7 points) drilled a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left to pull HC within two, but Breen hit one of two free throws for the final score after Petro fouled on the inbounds.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Holy Cross women's basketball, loss to UMass, Hart Center