March 12, 2003

• Tournament Page
• Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Maggie Fontana scored 23 points as Holy Cross won its ninth Patriot League title in 13 years with a 78-65 victory over Army in the conference championship game Wednesday.

Mary Rose Campbell added 12 points and 12 rebounds and Katie O'Keefe scored 14 points for the top-seeded Crusaders (24-7), who get an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Katie Macfarlane had 23 points and 13 rebounds for No. 6 seed Army (15-16), and Christine Gassman added 13 points.

Army, playing in its first conference championship game since 1991, seemed nervous early. The Black Knights committed 16 first-half turnovers, and Holy Cross capitalized, jumping out to an early seven-point lead.

Army slowly came back. Haley Edwards hit a 3-pointer and Macfarlane added a free throw to tie it at 22 midway through the first half.

But Jessica Conte hit a 3-pointer to spark a 13-2 Holy Cross run, giving the Crusaders a 35-24 advantage. Lisa Andrews then scored six points to extend the Holy Cross lead to 44-29 at halftime.

Holy Cross players, from left, Katie O'Keefe, Lisa Andrews, and Becky Flynn embrace as they celebrate Holy Cross' Patriot League Championship and automatic NCAA tournament berth.

Holy Cross stretched its lead to 56-40. But Army rallied behind Gassman, who hit four 3-pointers in the second half.

Gassman and Amy Saal each connected on 3-pointers and Lindsay Brent hit two free throws to cut it to 68-60 with 5:39 remaining. But Holy Cross forced three Army turnovers, outscoring the Cadets 10-5 to close the game.

2003 Patriot League All-Tournament Team
Maggie Fontana, Holy Cross (MVP)
Mary Rose Campbell, Holy Cross
Katie O'Keefe, Holy Cross
Katie Macfarlane, Army
Desire Almind, Bucknell
Molly Creamer, Bucknell