Christendom Women's Basketball Earns #1 Seed in National Tournament

Christendom's women's basketball team is ready to defend their national title. The team defeated Central Penn over the weekend to lock up the Eastern States Conference Championship, wrapping up their season with another trophy and punching their ticket to the USCAA National Championship tournament for the third year in a row in the process.

Last year, Christendom shocked the USCAA with an underdog run to their first-ever national title. This year? They are the team to beat, following a scorching 23-2 regular season. The Crusaders secured the #1 overall seed from the USCAA after their performance this season — the first time any Christendom varsity program has secured the #1 seed in USCAA tournament play.

Catherine Thomas and Mary Pennefather led the way for Christendom once again this season, with Thomas ranking #3 in points per game in the USCAA and Pennefather ranking #5. Pennefather also sits at #3 in total points scored this season with 547, just edging out Thomas' 539, and she's been a playmaking machine, ranking #2 in assists.

Both phenoms helped lead the team to their historic regular season record, which included a flourish at the end: a Conference Championship win, securing the team their second Conference Championship in program history.

Taking on Central Penn in front of a raucous Christendom home crowd on Saturday, Christendom came out firing, outscoring Central Penn 25-6 in the first quarter and never looking back. The defense was stifling, holding Central Penn to single-digit scoring in every quarter except the final frame. By the time the buzzer sounded, it was a blowout, 82-34 — Christendom's second conference title in program history secured in emphatic fashion.

Pennefather led the scoring attack with 24 points, while Regina Bonvissuto added 19 and Thomas chipped in 16. On the boards, Miranda Keller was a force, pulling down 22 rebounds in a dominant performance.

With their regular season now complete, Christendom will travel to Buffalo, New York, following Mass on Sunday, March 9, to begin preparing to defend their 2024 national title. Games will begin on the morning of Tuesday, March 11, with games played each day leading up to the National Championship game on Saturday, March 15. Christendom will face stiff competition along the way, with their opponents to be announced shortly.

The team is currently looking to raise $10,000 in funds for the tournament. To support the team's National Championship run, visit here.