Preview: Holy Cross Hosts Colgate in Patriot League Women’s Basketball Regular-Season Finale

WORCESTER, Mass. (Interstat) — The Holy Cross women’s basketball team looks to solidify its position near the top of the Patriot League standings when it hosts Colgate in the regular-season finale for both teams on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The Crusaders (20-9 overall, 13-4 Patriot) enter the contest at the Hart Recreation Center having won six of their last seven games, including a 64-58 victory at Boston University last Wednesday. They are led by standout guard Mary-Elizabeth Donnelly, who scored 24 points in that win and is averaging 18.3 points over her last three contests. Holy Cross defeated Colgate 75-64 in Hamilton, New York, on Feb. 11, with Donnelly contributing 10 points.

The visiting Raiders (7-22, 5-12) are coming off a rare bright spot, a 57-47 road win at Bucknell on Saturday that snapped a five-game losing streak. Colgate is led by guard Ella Meabon, who erupted for 24 points in the victory. Meabon has been a consistent scorer, averaging 20.3 points over her last five games, but was held to just seven points in the previous meeting with Holy Cross.

This matchup has been tightly contested recently. While Holy Cross has won the last two meetings this season, the Jan. 28 game in Worcester required overtime, with the Crusaders prevailing 60-50.

Holy Cross, boasting one of the league’s top defenses, will aim to contain Meabon and capitalize on its significant advantage in record and momentum. The Crusaders have held opponents under 50 points in four of their last seven games.

Colgate, which has struggled on the road with a 2-12 record away from home, will need another high-output performance from Meabon and improved scoring support to challenge the conference powerhouse. The Raiders average just 55.2 points per game, the lowest in the Patriot League.

Monday’s result will finalize seeding for the upcoming Patriot League tournament, where Holy Cross is poised for a high seed and Colgate will look to build on its recent upset. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.