Jan. 20, 2010

Box Score | Photo Gallery

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- K.C. Gordon (Sr., Vienna, Va.) scored a career-high 20 points and knocked down four of Navy's 13 three-point field goals during a 75-60 victory for the Mids over Holy Cross Wednesday night at Alumni Hall in Annapolis.

The win ends a 10-game homecourt losing streak for Navy (10-9, 1-3 Patriot League) against Holy Cross (5-14, 1-3).

Both offenses started the game strong, with Navy connecting on 7 of its first 12 shots from the field (6 of 8 in three-point attempts) and Holy Cross hitting on 6 of its first 9 shots from the floor (3 of 4 from three-point range). Navy held a slim 18-16 lead when a three-point field goal from Erin Edwards (So., Hockessin, Del.) started a 14-5 run for the Mids. That gave Navy a 32-21 advantage with nine minutes remaining in the half.

"The players came out focused and determined tonight," said Navy head coach Stefanie Pemper, who is now 2-1 against Holy Cross during her brief stint on The Yard. "They all were ready to work and execute what we wanted them to do."

Holy Cross would slowly chip its way back into the game and soon the margin was down to just three points (36-33) with three minutes remaining in the half. Navy would eventually go into the locker room at intermission holding a 42-37 lead.

Navy shot 48.5 percent from the field and made 9 of 15 three-point field goal attempts in the first half, while the Crusaders shot 52.0 percent from the floor and made 5 of 8 three-point attempts over the opening 20 minutes of play.

The Mids quickly scored the first four points of the second half and soon were able to expand their lead back to double figures at 52-42 on a three-point field goal from Cassie Consedine (Jr., Bartlesville, Okla.). A short while later, a three-pointer from Christy Cushnie allowed the Crusaders to make it an eight-point game (58-50) with 12:18 left to play in the contest.

After relying on its offense over the first 30 minutes of the game, the Navy defense controlled the remainder of the night. Holy Cross did not connect on a field goal attempt over the next nine minutes, which allowed Navy to build a lead of as many as 18 points (71-53) before going on to post its largest margin of victory in series history.

"We did a nice job against their full-court defense, and responded well to their changing defenses," said Pemper. "We were able to get some good shots, did well on the boards, didn't turn the ball over much and kept Holy Cross off of the foul line."

Navy would end the game connecting on 42.4 percent of its field goal attempts and sink 13 of 29 three-point attempts (44.8%) in the game. The 13 triples left the Mids one shy of tying their own school and Patriot League record for the most three-pointers made in a game. That standard of 14 treys was recorded by Navy against Bucknell back in January of 1992.

The 75 points scored by the Mids is the most for Navy against a Patriot League opponent since tallying 80 in a five-point loss to Holy Cross three years ago.

The Holy Cross offense also had a productive night as the Crusaders sank 41.2 percent of their shots and made 9 of 19 three-point field goal attempts (47.4%).

Navy also held a 39-33 advantage in rebounding and committed 10 turnovers in the game (none until three minutes were left in the first half) while forcing Holy Cross into 16 turnovers.

Navy worked the ball well on offense throughout the game and recorded 25 assists on its 28 field goals made in the game. Leading the way was Angela Myers (Jr., San Antonio, Texas), who tied a career-high with 11 assists -- three shy of tying the school record -- while also producing nine rebounds and four steals.

In addition to the efforts from Gordon and Myers, Consedine just missed a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Edwards, Kristin Bowen (Sr., Monroeville, N.J.) and Chey Arvin (Fr., Noblesville, Ind.) each recorded eight points.

"Cassie, K.C., Angela and Kristin all came out at the start of the game with a lot of good energy for us tonight," said Pemper.

Holy Cross was led in scoring by Whitney Fremeau, who recorded 15 points for the Crusaders.

Navy will return to Alumni Hall Saturday afternoon when the Mids play host to Army in a 3 p.m. game.