Holy Cross women's basketball team has become a Patriot League power, having won the last six regular season championships in a row. Last year, however, the Crusaders didn't advance to the NCAA Tournament, losing in the championship game of the tournament, 88-74 to Bucknell. Their season ended abruptly with a first-round loss in the WNIT to Vermont. The Crusaders have had mixed results this season in its first two games. They defeated St. Peter's in their season opener 70-64 but lost to future Boilermaker opponent Boston College by a score 63-45. Holy Cross is the antithesis of Purdue in the coaching department, as Bill Gibbons serves his 18th consecutive year as the Crusaders' head coach. Gibbons' resume includes over 350 wins, eight Patriot League championships in the last 12 years, eight NCAA tournament appearances, 1 WNIT appearance, and five Patriot League Coach of the Year honors. Learn more about Coach Gibbons at the following address: http://www.holycross.edu/departments/athletics/website/gibbonsbio.html

The Crusaders have a solid set of players who have experience at the Division I-A level including All-Patriot League member Katie O'Keefe at center and junior forward Mary Rose Campbell, but one of its most versatile players is sophomore guard Maggie Fontana from Palatine, IL. At 5'11", Fontana is tied for the team lead in scoring (14.5 ppg), 2nd in rebounding (6 rpg), and averages 3 steals and 2.5 assists per game. Fontana was rated the 37th best player in her class by the Women's Basketball Journal, the 56th best player regardless of class her senior year by Blue Star, and was a Nike All-American. Last year Fontana was 3rd on Holy Cross in scoring (12.5), 2nd in rebounding (6.8), 2nd in total assists, first in steals, and was the Crusaders' best free throw shooter at just over 80 percent. Fontana's size and versatility will cause havoc for smaller guards, especially on the offensive boards. Having 5 career double-doubles in her short career, Fontana looks to be the bright spot for the Worcester, MA, school for years to come. Learn more about Maggie Fontana at the following address: http://www.holycross.edu/departments/athletics/website/0203wbasketballbios.html#wbbfontana

Steve