Lehigh University
American
Lehigh holds off American rally for first PL road win
2/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lehigh ended a two-game losing skid, holding off a second half rally by American to defeat the Eagles 67-60 at Bender Arena. The win was the Mountain Hawks’ first league road win of the season and was the first time Lehigh opened the second half of Patriot League play with a win since the 2003-04 season. Senior Sara Ellis scored a team-high 16 points and gave out a game-high seven assists, which tied her career-high for a sixth time. Meanwhile, freshman Kristen Dalton led the Brown and White in rebounds for the second straight game, pulling down eight boards. Lehigh now improves to 8-14 overall and 3-5 in the Patriot League, while American falls to 9-14 overall and 4-4 in league play.
“It was an important game for us to win and to start of the second half of league play,” said head coach Sue Troyan. “If you look at the standings, Army and Bucknell have somewhat separated themselves from the competition, but there are only two games that separate third place to eight place. What I think it is going to come down to is who can protect their home court while picking up a couple of wins on the road.”
Sophomore Melissa Rich hit the game’s opening jumper just 14 seconds in, but American’s Liz Hayes evened the score at two off an inbound pass with one second remaining on the shot clock.
The Mountain Hawks and Eagles traded baskets, tying the score at six with 17:01 remaining. Rich’s jumper at 16:21 gave Lehigh a two point lead and then senior Adrienne Blount drilled a three-pointer ten seconds later to make the score 11-6.
Trailing Lehigh by four points at the 14:32 mark, Anna Baran pulled the Eagles to within two. Junior Kaela Pearce’s lay-up at 13:53 sparked a 7-0 run for the Mountain Hawks. Stephanie N’Garsanet ended the Mountain Hawks’ run at 11:08, hitting a lay-up and Maggie Smith-Davidson added a basket at 9:14 as Lehigh held a 19-14 advantage. However, Lehigh would go on a 13-1 run over a span of three-and-a-half minutes and eventually held American scoreless for the remaining 3:40 of the half to carry a 37-19 advantage at the break.
The Mountain Hawks came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Eagles 6-2 in the first 2:55 to lead the Eagles 43-21. However, American would hold Lehigh scoreless for six-and-a-half minutes, going on a 12-0 run en route cutting Lehigh’s lead to 11 points. Freshman Alex Ross ended Lehigh’s drought by making a free throw at the 10:35 mark and starting a 9-0 run for the Mountain Hawks.
American would chip away at the deficit, sinking 15 of its last 23 points off three-pointers by Ryan, Hayes and Rachel Brazell. Lehigh got its last five points off foul shots by Ross and Ellis as the Mountain Hawks hung on for the win.
In addition to Ellis, three other Lehigh starters hit double-figures with Blount scoring 12 points and Pearce and Ross scoring ten. The Mountain Hawks are now 5-0 when at least four starters score in the double-figures.
Ryan scored a game-high 20 points for the Eagles, while Sahar Nusseibeh grabbed eight rebounds. Hayes, who had 11 points, dished off seven assists.
The Mountain Hawks return to the hardwood on Tuesday night when they host Navy at Stabler Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 pm and tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by visiting onto lehighsports.com, or prior to the game at the Stabler Arena box office.
Outside photo (c) 2006, Jim Ross.
