NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Behind a balanced scoring effort and a dominant start, the Indiana Northwest RedHawks defeated Holy Cross, 78-64, in a Saturday afternoon CCAC matchup at the McKenna Arena.
Jessica Carrothers led the RedHawks (9-2, 3-1 CCAC) with 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting, continuing her strong play this season. Senior forward Tiara Jackson added a commanding double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds while anchoring the team defensively. The RedHawks received additional firepower from Ava Kingery and Maggie Grady, who tallied 14 points apiece, with Kingery hitting four 3-pointers and Grady shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the field.
Indiana Northwest wasted no time establishing control, outscoring Holy Cross 21-8 in the opening quarter. The RedHawks shot 53.3% in the first period, including three 3-pointers, while holding the Saints to just 15.4% shooting from the floor. Their relentless defensive pressure forced early turnovers and limited Holy Cross' offensive rhythm, setting the tone for the game.
The Saints (6-5, 1-3 CCAC) fought back in the second quarter, led by Allie Caldwell, who scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Caldwell's scoring surge, combined with Grace Adams' four assists and La'Bria Austin's 11 points off the bench, helped trim the deficit to 40-29 at halftime.
However, Indiana Northwest responded decisively after the break. The RedHawks dominated the third quarter, shooting 58.8% from the field while holding the Saints to just 37.5%. They extended their lead to 64-44 by the end of the period, with a 3-pointer by Kingery and back-to-back baskets by Jackson highlighting their offensive surge.
Despite a late push by Holy Cross in the fourth quarter, including a strong showing from their bench, the Saints couldn't overcome Indiana Northwest's sizable lead. The RedHawks showcased their depth, with Katelyn Halfacre coming off the bench to score 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including four 3-pointers.
Indiana Northwest finished the game shooting 47.7% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. Their aggressive play on both ends of the floor resulted in 19 points off turnovers and limited Holy Cross to 28.6% shooting from long range.
Holy Cross had some bright spots, particularly on the glass, where they narrowly out-rebounded Indiana Northwest 31-28, including 11 offensive boards. However, turnovers and the RedHawks' hot shooting proved too much to overcome.
The victory moves Indiana Northwest to 9-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play, as they look to build on this performance heading into their next matchup. The RedHawks will return to action at home on Saturday, Dec. 21, when they host Saint Xavier University at 3 p.m.
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Recap by PJ Katona
