Holy Cross women’s basketball has developed a reputation as an overpowering defensive team during the four-year tenure of coach Maureen Magarity. Over the last three seasons, the Crusaders have consistently ranked atop the Patriot League in all the key defensive statistical categories.
This season, Holy Cross has become one of the best defensive ball clubs in the country. The Crusaders rank fifth nationally in field goal percentage defense and sixth in scoring defense, allowing an average of 51.2 points on 33.2% shooting.
That defensive prowess was on display during Wednesday night’s game against Navy. The Crusaders completely locked down the Midshipmen, who struggled shooting the ball and endured several lengthy scoring droughts.
Defensive stalwarts Simone Power-Cassidy and Bronagh Foreman also got the job done on the offensive end, scoring 18 and 15 points, respectively, to lead Holy Cross to a convincing 69-54 victory over Navy at Alumni Hall. Senior guard Cara McCormack contributed 10 points and aggressive defense against Navy freshman sensation Zanai Barnett-Gay.
Holy Cross (9-5, 3-0), the preseason favorite to capture the Patriot League championship, harassed Navy into 34.5% field goal shooting. The Mids made just 2 of 14 3-point attempts and committed 14 turnovers.
“It’s really just fundamental, man-to-man defense. I give credit to the players because they trust the staff and really believe in the scout,” Magarity said. “We have made defense a priority and they have really bought into the system.”
McCormack face-guarded Barnett-Gay and worked hard to deny her the ball. She also made it difficult for the plebe to drive the ball to the basket. Barnett-Gay led the Midshipmen with 15 points and had to work hard for each one, shooting 5 of 15 from the field.
“Cara has definitely taken her defense to another level this season,” Magarity said.
Navy coach Tim Taylor noted that McCormack, Power-Cassidy and 5-foot-11 forward Janelle Allen are all seniors. He praised the on-ball defense of the former two and credited the post defense of the latter as being crucial.
“They’re seniors and have played a lot of games. They’re veterans who have knowledge and are smart and just understand how to play defense,” Taylor said. “They’ve got a really good post player [Allen] inside that anchors it. They’ve got guards who are tough and really sit down and guard. They challenge every shot on the perimeter and at the rim.”
Power-Cassidy scored off a driving layup and a 3-pointer from the corner on consecutive possessions to spark a 13-4 run that transformed a 36-23 halftime lead into a comfortable 19-point cushion. A pull-up jumper by Foreman gave Holy Cross a 49-30 advantage midway through the third period.
McCormack made a runner in the lane as the Crusaders took their largest lead of 22 points on the opening possession of the fourth quarter. To their credit, the Midshipmen did not fold.
Freshman point guard Kyah Smith drained a 3-pointer and made a turnaround in the lane to key a 14-3 run that pulled Navy within 10 (62-52) with 2:06 remaining in the game. However, the Mids resorted to fouling to lengthen the game and the Crusaders made their free throws down the stretch.
“They don’t quit. They fought the whole way and got the game back within 10,” Taylor said. “That was encouraging, but we’re not looking for moral victories.”
Navy made just 7 of 22 shots in being outscored 38-23 over the second and third periods. Taylor is more concerned with his team’s defense at this point than the offense. Holy Cross scored 20 points off turnovers and 28 in the paint.
“I thought we had breakdowns and blew some defensive assignments. It seemed like every time we made a mistake and left someone open they made the shot,” he said. “Teams are shooting 45 to 50 percent against us, so we have to do a better job of defending.”
One bright spot was Navy’s full-court pressure, which forced Holy Cross into 21 turnovers.
“I think their pressure really rattled us at times. We had some uncharacteristic turnovers because they made us play fast,” said Magarity, daughter of former Army coach Dave Magarity.
Navy (4-10, 0-3) opened Patriot League play with games against teams picked to finish first through third in the preseason poll. The Midshipmen conclude a two-game homestand against Lafayette at 1 p.m. Saturday.
