Holy Cross crushes UT Martin, earns matchup with Iowa

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st March, 23:11 2024

Holy Cross' Cara McCormack moves the ball upcourt as she is defended by Brown's Isabella Mauricio, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. credits: Photo/Steve Lanava / USA TODAY NETWORK

Senior Cara McCormack scored a career-high 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Holy Cross to a 72-45 victory over UT Martin on Thursday in a Women's NCAA Tournament First Four game at Iowa City.

No. 16 Holy Cross (21-12) advances to play No. 1 Iowa (29-4) in a first-round game of the Albany 2 Regional on Saturday in Iowa City.

The Crusaders earned the second NCAA Tournament victory in Patriot League history. The first was achieved by Holy Cross in 1991.

Bronagh Power-Cassidy added 15 points in Holy Cross's win over UT Martin (16-17).

Anaya Brown had 15 points, Kenley McCarn 12 and Love Mayes 10 for UT Martin, which made the NCAA Tournament despite losing 81-53 to Southern Indiana in the Ohio Valley Conference championship game.

Southern Indiana is in the second year of the four-year reclassification to Division I, leaving the Screaming Eagles ineligible to play in the Women's NCAA Tournament.

Holy Cross, which never trailed, went on a 13-4 run to build a 16-6 lead in the first quarter. McCormack made two 3-pointers in that surge.

UT Martin did not come closer than seven points the rest of the game.

The Crusaders opened the second quarter with three 3-pointers, including two more from McCormack, to open a 31-13 lead.

Holy Cross led 45-24 at halftime behind 18 points from McCormack.

The Crusaders' lead swelled to 62-32 by the end of the third quarter.

Holy Cross tallied 20 assists on its 28 made field goals.

—Field Level Media