The Christendom College women’s basketball team won the national championship again.
In a Saturday night thriller, the team edged out Miami-Hamilton University 63-60 in Buffalo, N.Y., March 15, to become the first team in school history to win back-to-back national titles.
This championship — even more so than last year’s — was the ultimate testament to the grit, preparation, and faith that made this team the best in the Front Royal school’s history. A 23-2 regular season record, a conference championship, numerous individual awards, all resulting in the ultimate capstone: finishing as the best in the nation for the second year in a row.
The road back to the ultimate prize started a year ago, just days after the team stunned the United States Collegiate Athletic Association by upsetting the No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds to win their first national title. Head coach Mary Minick and the coaching staff immediately began preparing the team for the weight of even higher expectations — a daunting reality for any team.
They cruised through their regular season, thanks to the outstanding efforts of star players Catherine Thomas and Mary Pennefather. They set the standard for the team, with Pennefather ranking third in total points scored this season with 547, just edging out Thomas’ 539, while also ranking second in assists.
All the hours of hard work, both on and off the court, paid off with the team earning a No. 1 seed in the national championship tournament — a school first. The Christendom Crusaders began their defense of their national title March 12, defeating No. 8 Penn State Shenango 86-56, before taking down Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte, 71-55 in the semifinal game March 14.
Finally, taking on No. 3 Miami-Hamilton in the USCAA DII national championship game, Christendom jumped to a 20-12 lead after the first quarter, stretching that lead to 37-27 by the end of the first half.
Then, the unthinkable happened. Pennefather, the engine of Christendom’s offense, fouled out toward the end of the third quarter, forcing the team to fight on without her for the final 12 minutes of their biggest game.
The team came together in a remarkable way, stretching their lead to 52-40 by the end of the fourth quarter. With 10 minutes left, Christendom clung to their lead — but Miami-Hamilton surged back. A 10-0 run cut the lead to 52-50, and soon the game was tied 56-56 with under three minutes to play.
Then, Regina Bonvissuto — outstanding all season — stepped up. With under two minutes left, she launched a deep three-pointer, draining it to put Christendom back on top. Two free throws from Thomas extended the lead to 61-56 with less than a minute remaining.
Still, Miami-Hamilton refused to yield. A jump shot shortened the lead to 61-58, with a layup coming just seconds later to bring the score to 61-60 with only 24 seconds left in the game. Minick then called a full timeout, bringing the team together one last time. With one final “Our Lady, Queen of Victory, pray for us,” the team went back onto the court to try and seal the game for Christendom.
Miami-Hamilton quickly fouled Keller, who made a free throw to extend the lead to 62-60. With eight seconds left, Miami-Hamilton got the ball and charged down the court, ready for a layup — but missed. Libby Kolesar rebounded the ball and was immediately fouled with only 1.6 seconds left on the clock.
The entire team, and Christendom’s passionate fans who traveled all the way to Buffalo, were on their feet for Kolesar’s free throws. Miami-Hamilton rebounded the ball and made one last throw from beyond half-court, but it was too late. Christendom held on 63-60 and charged the court — national champions once again.
Thomas scored 28 points and snagged 13 rebounds to lead the Crusaders. Keller delivered 13 points and eight boards, while Pennefather finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Bonvissuto came up with nine points and three assists as well. Pennefather’s stellar play earned her Tournament MVP honors, while Thomas capped off her Christendom career with another All-Tournament Team selection — securing her place as one of the program’s all-time greats.
