BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Mountain Hawks return home for the first time since Nov. 14 on Sunday, when they play host to the Princeton Tigers at Stabler Arena. Lehigh comes into the game on its best start (4-1) since the 2004-05 season after winning three-consecutive games. The Mountain Hawks started the four-game road trip with a tough loss to St. Joseph’s but bounced back with three wins over Northeast Conference foes Fairleigh Dickinson, St. Francis (Pa.) and Sacred Heart. Erica Prosser continues to lead the Mountain Hawks with 17.6 points per game after setting a new career high with 21 points on Tuesday night.
The Mountain Hawks held off a late rally from Sacred Heart for their third-straight win in Fairfield Conn. Tuesday by a score of 77-75. Lehigh watched a 12-point lead slowly erode in the second half, struggling from the free-throw line (65.5 percent) to allow the Pioneers to climb back into the game.
The game appeared to be over when Prosser hit a three from the corner to push the lead to nine points with less than two minutes left, but the Mountain Hawks had been struggling to finish the game at the free throw line and Tricia Smith’s layup with two minutes left to push the lead to 75-71 gave them the necessary breathing room to hold on.
Princeton comes into the game 3-1 after back-to-back wins against Stony Brook and Fairleigh Dickinson. The Tigers’ only setback of the year came in a 83-35 drubbing at the hands of No. 2 Rutgers on Nov. 18. The Tigers were picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Ivy League in the preseason poll, and they bring back three starters from a team that went 7-23 last season. Addie Micir leads the Tigers in scoring thus far this season, with 13.8 points per game. Freshman center Devona Allgood leads the team with 8.0 rebounds per game in just 16.3 minutes per game off the bench.
The Mountain Hawks and Tigers have met in every season since the 1997-98 campaign. Overall, the two squads have squared off 21 times on the hardwood, with Princeton holding a 13-8 advantage in the overall series. The Brown and White enjoyed its most success from 1998-99 through 2004-05, where it won six of seven games in the series. However, Princeton has controlled the most recent matchups, taking home victories in each of the last three meetings.
Sunday’s game tips off at 2:05 at Stabler Arena. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by visiting the Lehigh Athletics Ticket Office, located in Grace Hall, or by logging onto Lehighsports.com.
Fans that cannot make it out to Stabler Arena on Sunday can listen to the game live on 91.3 WLVR (FM) with Jeff Tourial calling the action, or they can log on to Lehighsports.com for a live video broadcast of the action.
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Date: |
November 30, 2008 |
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Opponent: |
Princeton Tigers |
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Tipoff: |
2:05 p.m. |
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Arena: |
Stabler Arena (5,600) |
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Location: |
Bethlehem, Pa. |
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Lehigh’s record: |
4-1 overall, 0-0 Patriot League |
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Princeton’s record: |
3-1 overall, 0-0 Ivy League |
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Series: |
Princeton leads 13-8 |
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Streak: |
Princeton won last three meetings |
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Television: |
Service Electric 2 Sports and FCS Atlantic |
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Radio: |
WLVR-FM (91.3) with Jeff Tourial beginning at 1:45 p.m. |
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Internet broadcast: |
Live video at Lehighsports.com |
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Behind enemy lines: |
http://www.goprincetontigers.com |
