No. 1 Boston University (24-7, 17-1 PL) vs. No. 2 Holy Cross (23-8, 13-5 PL)
Date & Time: Sunday, March 12,  2023, 12 p.m.
Venue: Case Gym, Boston, Mass.
 
Watch: CBS Sports Network (Talent: Jason Knapp and Julianne Viani-Braen)
Listen: GoTerriers.com/Listen (Talent: Brian Maurer and Seth Helman)
Twitter: @BUGameDay | @TerrierWBB 
Rosters: BU | Holy Cross
Schedule: BU | Holy Cross
 
BOSTON – A Turnpike Trophy contest will decide the 2023 Patriot League Championship, as the top-seeded Boston University women's basketball program hosts second-ranked Holy Cross with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. The two teams square off on Sunday (March 12). Opening tip is slated for 12 p.m.
 
Sunday's game will air on CBS Sports Network, with Jason Knapp and Julianne Viani-Braen on the call. CBS Sports Network requires either a cable or streaming service subscription to the channel. Additionally, GoTerriers.com will provide an audio-only broadcast, with Brian Maurer and Seth Helman calling the action.
 
BU makes its second Patriot League Championship appearance in the last three seasons, hosting the title affair for the second time. The Terriers aim for their first Patriot League championship in 10 seasons as a league member. BU last won a conference title and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2003.
 
On the other bench, Holy Cross looks to expand its league-leading tally with its 12th Patriot League trophy. The Crusaders have reached the title game 19 times, but have lost their last four bouts. Sunday will also be Holy Cross' fourth title game showing in a row as the lower seed.
 
Fans can play basketball bingo at the game, with opportunities to win prizes such as a Stanley Quencher 40 oz., Apple AirPods Pro, and an Xbox Series S. Plus, fans can enjoy free pizza at the game, while supplies last.
 
TERRIER TIDBITS

• BU has won three conference championships in program history. The Terriers captured the Seaboard Conference titles in 1988 and 1989, and won the America East in 2003.
• At Case Gym during the Patriot League Tournament, BU is 7-2, with three-consecutive wins. Overall, the Terriers have been the higher seed in five previous conference title games.
• A trip to the NCAA Tournament would be the second for the Terriers in program history.
• With a win, BU would also match its program record with its 25th win on the year, set by the 2008-09 team.
• In its last game, No. 1 BU pulled away from No. 5 Army West Point in the Patriot League semifinal round with an 84-68, overtime win on March 9 at Case Gym.
• Tied after regulation during which both teams overcame double-digit deficits, the Terriers outscored the Black Knights 16-0 in the extra period.
• Junior Caitlin Weimar (21 points, 14 rebounds) and senior Maren Durant (18 points, 10 boards) each posted a double-double as well as five assists.
• Senior Sydney Johnson collected 17 points and three steals.
• Sophomore Alex Giannaros drained six of her nine shots for 15 points.
• In two postseason games, Durant is averaging 15 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and three blocks on 68.4 percent shooting. She needs seven rebounds to move into fourth place in the Terrier record books.
• Johnson needs three steals to enter the top 10 in program history. Should she accomplish that, she would join Debbie Miller and Chantell Alford as the only three Terriers ever to finish top 10 in field goals, assists, and steals and top 15 in points.
• BU is third in the nation with its .394 three-point percentage, and 17th with a .460 shooting clip overall. The Terriers are one of 19 teams in the country hitting 46 percent or more of their shots.

 
SCOUTING HOLY CROSS

• The second-seeded Crusaders will make their first appearance in the championship round since 2013-14. Holy Cross has won 11 Patriot League titles, and have appeared in the title game 19 times since the league's inception in 1990-91.
• On Thursday (March 9), Holy Cross beat No. 3 Lehigh 71-54 in Worcester.  Bronagh Power-Cassidy unloaded 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting to power Crusader offense, which outscored the Mountain Hawks 41-25 in the second half.
• Power-Cassidy, a Second Team All-Patriot League and Academic All-Patriot League selection, leads Holy Cross with 13.7 points per game and 24 blocks.
• Third Team pick Janelle Allen ranks behind her with 10.4 points per contest.
• Addisyn Cross became the first Crusader in program history to be named to the Patriot League All-Defensive Team. Freshman Kaitlyn Flanagan also earned a spot on the All-Rookie squad.
• As a team, Holy Cross has allowed just 54.5 points per game, ranking 15th in the nation.

 
SERIES HISTORY

• Sunday marks the 36th all-time meeting between BU and Holy Cross in a series that began in 1976.
• This marks just the second time the Terriers and Crusaders will clash in the Patriot League Tournament. Holy Cross triumphed in the 2019 quarterfinals as the No. 5 seed over fourth-ranked BU, 72-70..
• The game will be the first meeting in a women's championship between the two schools.
• Overall, Holy Cross sports a 21-14 edge.
• BU is 8-9 all-time at home against Holy Cross, having won five of the last six contests.
• The two teams split the regular season series, each winning at home.
• In the first meeting, Johnson led four in double digits with 17 points, as the Terriers overcame a 15-point deficit and outscored the Crusaders 33-18 in the second half for a 66-59 triumph in Boston on Feb. 15.
• The second meeting saw Lindsay Berger drop 22 points on 10 baskets, helping Holy Cross snap BU's 17-game winning streak in a 57-53 decision on the final day of the regular season on March 1.