Lehigh University
Princeton
Mountain Hawks upended by Princeton 86-68
12/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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PRINCETON, N.J. – The Lehigh women’s basketball team suffered its second setback of the season Wednesday night falling to Princeton 86-68 in Jadwin Gym. The Mountain Hawks came out strong in the second half, but after falling behind by 31 points in the first half the Brown and White could not recover. The Tigers finished the game shooting 42 percent from the three. With the loss Lehigh falls to 5-2 on the season.
“I challenged them at the half to come out and play for pride,” head coach Sue Troyan said. “They gave it everything they had in the second half and played better. In the first half we got into foul trouble and couldn’t get into a rhythm offensively. Give Princeton credit they played well defensively and were very good offensively.”
The Tigers (5-1) were led by sophomore Lauren Edwards and freshman Niveen Rasheed who each had 21 points. Without sophomore Alexa Williams in the lineup for the Brown and White, Rasheed was able to control the post.
“We knew it was going to be challenging with Rasheed because she is a good inside player,” Troyan said. “Alexa was going to guard her and without her in the lineup we had no answer.”
For Lehigh senior Alex Ross scored a season-high 18 points and was one of four Mountain Hawks in double-figures, along with junior Erica Prosser (14), sophomore Emily Gratch (13) and junior Courtney Dentler (10). Freshman Kelly Peterson came off the bench and grabbed four rebounds and blocked one shot.
The Mountain Hawks came out flat in the first half and the Tigers took advantage jumping out to an early 15-4 lead. Princeton didn’t let up and the closest the Brown and White would get was 16 points for the rest of the half. The Tigers went into the locker room with a 58-27 lead which is the most points Lehigh has allowed in a half all season.
Princeton was led by its sharp shooting from beyond the arc as it shot 56 percent for the half. Five different players hit a three-point basket, but the Tigers’ attack was led by Edwards who had 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field. Princeton also outrebounded Lehigh 25-14 in the half.
Ross and Prosser led Lehigh with seven points apiece in the half and 10 different players saw action in the half. The Mountain Hawks shot only 36 percent from the floor.
The Mountain Hawks will put this game behind them and prepare for a tough game against Villanova on Saturday. “They’re off to a great start and are playing well, but we match up well with them,” Troyan said.
Lehigh and Villanova will tip things off at 7:00 p.m. from Stabler Arena on Saturday night. The Mountain Hawks will try and avenge a six point loss to the Wildcats last season. Tickets are available in advance by calling 610-7LU-GAME or online at Lehighsports.com, and on game day at the Stabler Arena box office 60 minutes prior to tipoff. All fans are encouraged to bring their personal cameras to the game where they will have the opportunity to get their picture taken with the Patriot League championship trophy and with Clutch – the Lehigh mascot – in the lobby from 6:30 pm until halftime.
Mountain Hawks Basketball Post-Game Extra
