CATASAUQUA In postseason basketball, a lot of things have to go right in order to pick up a victory. Shots might not be falling, momentum can change, and a raucous atmosphere can always impact the end result.

However, there is one thing that no matter what happens throughout the course of a game a team can depend on. That one thing is team defense.On Tuesday, in the Colonial League girl's basketball semifinal between Notre Dame Green Pond and Palmerton, it was the Crusaders who came through with the stronger defensive effort and the win as they took care of the Bombers 60-44. The Crusaders will now go onto face Northwestern at Freedom High School on Friday at 6 p.m.From the onset it looked like Notre Dame wasn't going to let Bomber leading scorers Jade Farquhar (17.61) and Madison Mummey (12.22) get anything easy. The Crusaders strategy was effective as Mummey was held scoreless in the first half 0-for-4 shooting, while Farquhar was held to zero field goals and just four points.The Crusaders allowed just 17 points after two quarters, holding a 10-point advantage. What was even more impressive about their 10-point lead was that Notre Dame offensive dynamo Gabby Altmire struggled mightily from the field in the first half, scoring six points, shooting just 3-for-10 from the field."Our goal was to play great team defense tonight and I think we did a tremendous job of that, especially in the first half," said Notre Dame Green Pond coach Josh Kopp. "That was the big key for us and I think it got them out of rhythm a little bit and we were able to take advantage."Another key for Notre Dame in the first half was turnovers, but not the bad kind. The Crusaders forced Palmerton into 10 turnovers a lot of which came in transition when it looked like the Bombers had a chance to convert.Palmerton came out strong in the third quarter. A Bombers rally got them within five in the third, thanks in part to Farquhar's offensive game. Farquhar had 11 points in the frame, including two triples to jump start the Bombers."I told our team at half that I wanted to cut the 10-point lead in half by the end of the third quarter," said Palmerton coach Rodney Strohl. "We came out and did that right at the beginning of the third quarter, but we just had too many breakdowns defensively tonight."They beat us up the court a couple of times and their ball handlers were able to get to the basket on us. They also converted their lay-ups when given the opportunity and we missed some easy ones tonight."Five points was as close as the Bombers would get as Notre Dame pulled away."I'm very proud of our team tonight, especially withstanding their run in the early third," said Kopp. "After that we actually extended our lead, being up 11 after the third. It just shows a lot about the character of this team and that's a big reason why we're playing for a league title."The Crusaders Altmire bounced back in the second half scoring nine of her team-high 15 points, while Cailee Murphy chipped in with 10 points.For Palmerton Farquhar scored 21 of her game-high 25 points in the second half, including four three-pointers.PALMERTONMissal 0-0-0-0, Smale 0-0-0-0, Reimer 3-1-4-8, Mummey 0-0-0-0, Leister 0-1-1-1, Farquhar 6-9-10-25, Wentz 0-0-0-0, Sterling 0-0-0-0, Beers 2-0-0-4, Nemeth 3-0-2-6, Goodhile 0-0-0-0. Totals: 14-11-18-44.NOTRE DAME G.P.Gorman 1-0-0-2, Lynch 0-0-0-0, Romich 2-3-4-8, Watson 0-0-0-0, Cabone 1-3-4-5, Farley 3-0-0-6, Altmire 7-1-3-15, Lynch 2-0-0-4, Kelly 2-3-4-8, Muprhy 4-2-2-10, Esposito 1-0-2-2, Velzaquez 0-0-0-0, Brandt 0-0-0-0, Ceraolo 0-0-0-0, Galle 0-0-0-0. Totals: 23-12-19-60.Palmerton 9 8 15 12 - 44No. Dame-GP 14 13 16 17 - 60Three-pointers: P - Farquhar 4, Reimer 1; ND - Kelly 1, Romich 1.