Front Royal, VA – Christendom Crusaders women's basketball (20-5) picked up a big 84-51 ESAC win over the Central Penn Knights (8-13), improving their record to 20-5 on the season.
The Lady Crusaders came out hot, going on an 11-0 run to begin the first quarter. Miranda Keller (Junior/Harrisburg, PA) began the scoring for the Crusaders with a jump shot from the short corner and a layup in transition. Keller then assisted Catherine Thomas (Junior/Corpus Christi, TX) for a 3-pointer, which put the Crusaders up by 7. The Crusaders continued to dominate on offense and played great defense, ending the first quarter up 15-4. The Knights began to click offensively in the second quarter, but the Crusaders' strong play allowed them to maintain their lead. The Knights hit some transition floaters to pull within nine with 4 minutes to go in the half, but buckets by Thomas and Regina Bonvissuto (Junior/Kingston Springs, TN) re-extended the Crusader lead. Christendom went into halftime up 37-21.
The Crusaders continued to play strong throughout the second half, with Mary Pennefather (Freshman/Manassas, VA) opening up scoring for Christendom on a turnaround jumper. The Knights' offense found some traction in the third quarter, but the Crusaders again outscored the Knights 22-16. The fourth quarter was Christendom's best offensive quarter. Regina Bonvissuto hit two 3-pointers during the quarter and the Crusaders continued to score in transition, putting up 25 points in the final frame. Their strong defense held the Knights to 14 points in the quarter, leading to the 84-51 Crusader victory.
Christendom had a great offensive game, with a total of 28 assists in the contest, 17 of which came from Mary Pennefather. She notched a triple-double of 17 assists, 15 rebounds, and 12 points. Thomas and Keller both had double-doubles, Thomas with 27 points and 20 rebounds and Keller ended with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Bonvissuto also played a great offensive game with 16 points (including four 3-pointers).
Up next – The Crusaders take on the Apprentice Builders (12-8) for SENIOR NIGHT on Saturday, February 17, at 1:00pm.