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BOSTON - Corrine Williams secured her first career double-double with late work inside but it wasn't enough to overcome an early deficit and the Boston University women's basketball team dropped a 60-41 decision to Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener on Wednesday afternoon in Case Gym.

The loss was BU's first in the inaugural Turnpike Trophy rivalry series with the Crusaders, though the Terriers still hold a 5-1 lead on the year. Holy Cross's Molly Hourigan was named the game MVP for her strong post play, finishing with 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Williams tallied 10 points and a career-best 12 rebounds to secure her first collegiate double-double. Her 12 boards is a team high and is the most a Terrier has totaled since Meghan Green grabbed 14 against Colgate last season on Jan. 14.

Holy Cross was led by Infinity Thomas-Waheed, who scored a career-high 20 points and five steals. Three Crusaders finished in double-digit scoring as Thomas-Waheed was joined by Katie Doherty (11 points, 6 rebounds) and Lisa Mifsud (10 points, 5 assists).

Erin Bayram had one of her best performances thus far, going 3-for-3 from the field as a strong inside presence. Kara Sheftic also had a solid day in the post, totaling eight points and rebounds and drawing four fouls.

BU shot 30 percent overall while Holy Cross netted 34.4 percent of its attempts from the field. The Crusaders had success from long-range, going 9-for-28 (32.1 percent) from beyond the arc.

Holy Cross got off to a fast start and didn't relent until late in the game. The Crusaders scored the first five points of the game and then went on an 8-0 run in the middle of the first quarter to help end the period with a 15-8 lead.

Two early 3-pointers and some work inside gave Holy Cross a 23-10 lead with over seven minutes left to play in the first half but neither team was able to score for the next five minutes until the Crusaders ended the period with five quick points to bring the score to 28-15 by halftime.

Holy Cross maintained its pressure throughout the third quarter and ultimately found a 20-point lead midway though the period but BU fared better in the final 10 minutes of the game, thanks to eight points and six rebounds from Williams.

The early deficit was too much to overcome, however, and the Crusaders took a 60-41 win to open conference play.

BU is back in action at home on Saturday afternoon when the Terriers host Lehigh at 2 p.m. in Case Gym. The game will be aired live on the Patriot League Network.