Highlights (YouTube)

BALTIMORE – Emily McAteer scored 15 of her season-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, but Loyola University Maryland's late rally came up short in a 64-56 defeat to Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener for both sides on Thursday.

Trailing 59-39 with under six minutes remaining in regulation, the Greyhounds used a 12-0 run to trim the deficit down to single digits, but could get no closer than seven points in the closing seconds. Lauren Manis, who was chosen as the Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year, led the Crusaders (8-4, 1-0) with 13 points, 16 rebounds and a pair of blocks.

Stephanie Karcz chipped in 14 points, seven steals and six rebounds for the Greyhounds (3-9, 0-1), as the Division I leader in steals per game managed 6+ thefts for a 10th straight contest. Bri Rozzi added a season-high 13 points and four assists for the home side.

Holy Cross entered the afternoon leading the nation in 3-point field goal percentage, and the visitors hit 7 of 9 attempts from long distance in the first half to take a 38-22 lead into the intermission.

The Crusaders scored the first basket of the second half as well before an 11-0 Loyola run reduced the margin down to 40-33 midway through the third quarter. Rozzi scored nine of her 13 points in the frame, as she reached double figures for a third-consecutive contest.

Holy Cross responded with a 14-4 run of its own to conclude the quarter, and the visitors maintained a comfortable margin until McAteer's late offensive surge.

McAteer hit 7 of 12 shots from the field overall and 4 of 8 attempts from 3-point range. She also recorded a pair of blocks and matched a season-best with seven rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.

Karcz is up to 80 steals through Loyola's first 12 games, leaving her 43 thefts away from her own single-season school record of 123 with 17 contests still remaining in the regular season. Her 6.7 steals per game are currently above the Division I single-season record of 6.4 which is shared by two players.

Holy Cross ultimately shot 55.6 percent (10-18) from long distance, helping the visitors overcome a 24-turnover performance which led to 29 Loyola points on the other end. Kathryn Pedi (5-8 3FG) finished with a team-high 15 points for the Crusaders.

The Greyhounds remain at Reitz Arena on Sunday afternoon, hosting Lehigh in the team's annual Play4Kay game at 1 p.m.