Worcester, Mass. – With a chance to clinch the Patriot League North Division on the line, the Boston University women's basketball team finalized its position atop the division standings with a 70-58 victory over Holy Cross Saturday afternoon at the Hart Center.
 
Maggie Pina put on a show, hitting on 6-12 from the floor and 4-of-8 from deep for a game-high 17 points. Katie Nelson also connected on four 3-pointers as part of a 16-point outing, and Sydney Johnson added 12 points and a game-high seven assists. Riley Childs was dominant on the glass as she hauled down a career-high 16 rebounds.

How It Happened

• Johnson put in a pair of midrange jumpers while Pina and Nelson went for back-to-back 3-pointers to push an early 12-5 edge.
• The Crusaders used an 8-2 run to come within one until Annabelle Larnard and Johnson went for layups, and Nelson drilled a 3-pointer in transition to make it a 23-17 game at the end of the first.
• BU and Holy Cross exchanged baskets to start the second quarter while Johnson continued to terrorize the Crusader defense, starting 5-of-7 from the floor as the Terriers held the lead, 37-31, with 3:47 remaining.
• Once again, the Crusaders came within one possession, but Pina hit from downtown and Nelson drove past a trio of defenders to close the half, sending BU into the break with a 39-33 grip.
• Maren Durant came out firing to start the third, using back-to-back post moves to give BU its first double-digit advantage, 38-28, at the six-minute mark.
• Pina took over, hitting two straight triples, including converting on a four-point play to further the command, 57-40, with two minutes left in the stanza.
• The duo of Pina and Nelson kept the Crusaders at bay to start the fourth, combining for seven points to maintain a 10-point gap with five minutes to play.
• Holy Cross made a last-ditch effort at a comeback, but Childs netted the final six points for the Terriers to close the game out.

Game Notes

• BU has scored at least 70 points versus the Crusaders in all four matchups this season.
• Johnson's seven assists tied a career high.
• At least three Terriers scored in double figures for the fifth straight game.

Up Next

• BU will close out its three-game series versus Holy Cross tomorrow at Case Gym.
• Opening tip is set for 2 p.m.