Posted: Feb 01, 2025
Wye Mills, MD – The Christendom College Crusaders rolled to a commanding 71-47 victory over the Chesapeake College Skipjacks in their latest women's basketball matchup on Saturday, January 31st. The win was made even more special as point guard Mary Pennefather (Sophomore/Manassas, VA) scored her 1000th career point in the first quarter, solidifying her place in the program's history. Alongside Pennefather's milestone achievement, strong performances from Catherine Thomas (Senior/Corpus Christi, TX), Miranda Keller (Senior/Harrisburg, PA), and Regina Bonvissuto (Senior/Kingston Springs, TN) propelled the Crusaders to a dominant win.
Pennefather's milestone moment came early in the game, as she reached the 1000-point mark in the first quarter. The sophomore point guard, who has been a staple of the Crusaders' offense for the duration of her time as a Crusader, hit the historic basket with a smooth jumper. She finished the game with 23 points, showcasing the scoring ability that has made her one of the program's all-time greats. Her leadership on the floor, including clutch shooting and playmaking, was a big reason the Crusaders were able to pull away early and never look back.
In addition to Pennefather's impressive individual performance, Thomas added 20 points, continuing her excellent season. Her quick drives and timely jumpers were key in maintaining the Crusaders' momentum, especially as Chesapeake struggled to contain Christendom's offensive depth. Thomas' ability to create scoring opportunities kept the Skipjacks at bay and contributed heavily to the Crusaders' second-half surge.
Miranda Keller was also instrumental, contributing 15 points. The forward was active on both ends, finishing strong in the paint and using her strength to dominate the boards with 11 rebounds. Keller's performance was critical in keeping the pressure on the Skipjacks after the early fireworks from Pennefather.
Bonvissuto made her presence felt in this game as well, adding 12 points. Her energy in transition and her hustle on both sides of the ball helped extend Christendom's lead in the second half, providing the team with a balanced offensive attack and keeping the Skipjacks on their heels.
Christendom's defense was another standout factor in the victory. The Crusaders held the Skipjacks to just 47 points, limiting their opportunities and forcing several turnovers. Chesapeake had no answers for Christendom's defensive schemes, which led to fast-break opportunities and easy buckets for the Crusaders. Although the Skipjacks played with aggression throughout the game, they were unable to stay afloat and caved under Christendom's active defense and on-ball pressure.
The victory moves Christendom College's record in the right direction, and with such a well-rounded performance, the Crusaders will be brimming with confidence as they look ahead to their upcoming games. With the combination of Pennefather's historic milestone and strong contributions from the team, the Crusaders are setting the stage for a successful remainder of the season.