Traveling all the way up to chilly Worcester, Mass., the women's basketball team won its first-ever match-up against Patriot League rival Holy Cross on Saturday night, clinching the win by double digits, 62-46.
From the opening tip-off, the Eagles were in control of the tempo of the game. They out-rebounded, out-shot and outplayed the Holy Cross squad, who is 3-2 in the Patriot League standings and 10-10 on the season.
By the time the first half whistle sounded, the Eagles were already in control with a 10-point lead. Kirk shot an astounding 100 percent from the field, three-point range and the charity stripe. Averaging a little over five points per game for the season, Kirk stepped up her performance and helped front the Eagles' attack.
As the second half began, the Eagles continued to roll. Hayes, who made the All-Patriot League team in 2007, stepped onto the court in the second half and took over the game with her sharp shooting from long distance. Hayes scored seven points in the second half of the game alone. Despite their efforts, Holy Cross could not close the gap on the Eagles.
The game was kept relatively close by the offensive output by Holy Cross' Brianna McFadden and Elizabeth Campbell, who delivered 15 and 13 points, respectively. But Eagles Hayes, Kirk and senior Stephanie N'Garsanet all finished the game in double figures. All in all, the Eagles shot 41 percent from the field.
The win brought the Eagles' season record to 8-12 and their Patriot League record to 2-3. With nine games still left in the season, AU has plenty of chances to move up in the Patriot League standings.
The next test for the Eagles comes on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when they battle Navy in Annapolis, Md.
