Lehigh University
Lafayette
Mountain Hawks rout Lafayette
9/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Bethlehem, PA – Lehigh ran out to an 18-point lead and never looked back as the Mountain Hawks cruised past the Lafayette Leopards 68-35 at Stabler Arena on Wednesday night. The win improved Lehigh’s Patriot League record to 5-2, and placed the Mountain Hawks (9-11 overall) in a three-way tie for first with Holy Cross and Bucknell halfway through the league schedule. The loss dropped Lafayette to 1-6 in the league and 3-17 overall.
Lafayette grabbed a quick 4-0 lead 1:35 into the contest before Lehigh would get on the board. The Leopards led 10-9 with 12:10 left to play in the opening stanza, but Lafayette failed to connect on another field goal for the rest of the half, as Lehigh went on a 21-2 run to take a 30-12 lead into the locker rooms.
Lehigh continued to pour it on in the second half, as the Mountain Hawks rolled to their largest victory of the season, a 33-point win. The 35 point output from Lafayette was the lowest total by a Lehigh opponent since Lehigh defeated Franklin & Marshall 55-28 in 1980.
Every Mountain Hawk saw action in Wednesday’s win, and Lehigh was led by 13 points apiece from its two leading scorers, Anne Tierney and Carli Toliver. Tierney also pulled down 10 boards, for her 11th double-double of the season. Sophomore co-captain Teniece Johnson added a season-best nine points, including 5-of-5 from the free throw line. Freshman Kelly Berk added 8 points and a career-best nine boards in the win.
Lafayette was paced by 10 points from sophomore Colleen Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was one of only five Leopard players to score points. Lafayette shot 26% for the game (0-12 from long range), and committed 27 turnovers.
Lehigh shot the ball well from the floor (43%), and from the charity stripe (80%), but turned the ball over 25 times.
After the game, Lehigh head coach Sue Troyan expressed her satisfaction with her team’s strong defensive play. "Defensively, I thought we did an excellent job tonight," Troyan said. "This win puts us where we wanted to be (tied for first in the Patriot League) halfway through league play. On the other hand, we still have plenty of room for improvement."
Lehigh returns to action on Saturday afternoon, when the Mountain Hawks host the Black Knights of Army. The Cadets are 3-4 in league play, and will be looking to avenge a Lehigh win at West Point earlier this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 from Stabler Arena.
