Posted: Jan 25, 2025
Front Royal, VA – The Christendom Crusader Women's Basketball team faced off against the Patrick Henry College Sentinels in their second match up of the season on Thursday, January 23rd. The Sentinels came to play, but the Crusaders' stifling defense and oppressive offense were too much for the Sentinels to compete with and the Crusaders won in 79-37 victory.
In the first quarter, both teams played competitively and the score remained even throughout. However, in the second quarter, the Sentinels were unable to penetrate the lock-down Crusader defense, while the Crusaders pushed the ball up the court in consistent and aggressive attacks. By halftime, the Crusaders had already opened up a commanding 39-16 lead, with the Mustangs struggling to contain Christendom's relentless offense and stifling defense. The second half saw more of the same, as the Crusaders continued to dominate on both ends of the floor, pushing the lead even further. A well-balanced scoring attack, combined with relentless defensive pressure, kept the Mustangs from finding any rhythm in the second half.
The Crusaders' depth was evident, as every player who saw the floor contributed to the team's success. Christendom's bench played a key role in maintaining the high level of play throughout, with several reserves chipping in with valuable minutes and points. Catherine Thomas (Senior/Corpus Christi, TX) scored 20 points during the game and Mary Pennefather (Sophomore/Manassas, VA) contributed 19 points, but the rest of the point spread was distributed evenly between the rest of the players, demonstrating a balanced team effort.
Elizabeth City, NC – The Christendom College Crusaders Women's Basketball team turned in one of their most dominant performances of the season, cruising to an 80-22 victory over the Mid-Atlantic Christian University Mustangs in a one-sided affair. From the opening whistle, the Crusaders demonstrated their superiority on both ends of the court, overwhelming their opponents with stifling defense and efficient offense.
Christendom wasted no time in establishing control, jumping out to an early lead behind a relentless defensive effort. The Crusaders were quick to pressure the Mustangs, forcing turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. Defensively, the Crusaders forced 23 turnovers and captured 11 steals, preventing the Mustangs from scoring at all in the first quarter.
By the final buzzer, the Crusaders had built their largest lead of the game, finishing with an 80-22 victory. The 58-point margin of victory was a testament to the team's all-around performance and an indication of how far the Crusaders have come this season. Pennefather displayed another standout performance with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 steals. With the victory, the Crusaders continue to build momentum as they approach the latter part of their schedule. The team's confidence and cohesion were on full display, and they'll look to carry that energy into their next matchup.
This was a milestone game for the Crusaders. In the second half of the game, Thomas scored her 2000th career point. She was recognized during the game and congratulated by her teammates and coaches. She finished the game with 26 points, further solidifying her place in Crusaders' lore. In addition to Thomas' historic achievement, the game also marked a milestone for the Crusaders' head coach, Mary Minick. With the win, Minick earned her 100th career victory as head coach of the women's basketball team. Coach Minick, in her seventh season at the helm, has helped guide the Crusaders to consistent success, and this victory is a testament to her leadership and dedication to the program. The momentum of these two incredible achievements will carry the Crusaders into the rest of their season.