Lehigh welcomes Alabama, Delaware, and Yale to Bethlehem for the eighth annual Christmas City Classic as play concludes in 2004. The Mountain Hawks (6-2) are off to their best start in six years, thanks in large part to the inside-outside threat of Jessica DePalo and Sara Ellis. DePalo (19.9 points per game) and Ellis (15.4 ppg) lead the Patriot League in scoring. As a team, Lehigh ranks fifth nationally (as of 12/27) by sinking 49.2% of its shots. The Mountain Hawks are also a perfect 3-0 at home.
Lehigh’s first round opponent is the Bulldogs of Yale, who are coming off their first win of the season (1-6 overall). Last time out, Yale rallied from a 16-point deficit to top visiting Morgan State in New Haven (Dec. 20). The Bulldogs are 0-2 on the road this season, with setbacks at Ohio State and at New Hampshire. Sophomore center Erica Davis is the team’s leading scorer (14.3 ppg) and rebounder (7.3 rpg).
The other first round match-up pits Alabama (7-2) against Delaware (5-2). Last time out, Alabama captured a nine point win over Alabama A&M at home. The Crimson Tide is competing in its third tournament of the season, having taken part in the Seattle Times Classic as well as the Triple Crown Sports Classic in Springfield, Mo. Sophomore guard Marverly Nettles leads the team in scoring (14.9 ppg), and junior center Dee Merriweather is the top rebounder (6.2 rpg).
The Fightin’ Blue Hens are 5-2 in 2004-05, including a 2-2 record away from home. Delaware competed in the Mission Management & Trust Fiesta Classic, hosted by the University of Arizona, where the Blue Hens finished third. Senior forward Tiara Malcom, the CAA Player of the Week on Dec. 20, leads the team in points (16.7) and boards (7.1) per contest.
Lehigh is 7-9 all-time against Yale. The last Lehigh-Yale meeting came during the 1999-2000 season, when the Mountain Hawks topped the Bulldogs by a 72-69 count at Stabler Arena.
The tournament begins on Wednesday, and Lehigh will play at 7:30 on both nights. The two Lehigh games will air live on both Service Electric 2 Sports and WLVR-FM. For tickets, call (610) 7LU-GAME or stop by the Stabler Arena box office on gameday.
Date: | December 29-30, 2004 |
Event: | Christmas City Classic (at Lehigh) |
Participants: | Lehigh, Alabama, Delaware, Yale |
Location: | Bethlehem, PA |
Arena: | Stabler Arena (5,600) |
Lehigh’s Record: | 6-2 overall, 0-0 Patriot League |
Alabama’s Record: | 7-2 overall, 0-0 Southeastern Conference |
Delaware’s Record: | 5-2 overall, 0-0 Colonial Athletic Association |
Yale’s Record: | 1-6 overall, 0-0 Ivy League |
Wednesday’s match-ups: | Alabama vs. Delaware (5:00); Lehigh vs. Yale (7:30) |
Series: | Lehigh is 7-9 vs. Yale, 10-16 vs. Delaware, 0-0 vs. Alabama |
Television: | The two Lehigh games will air live on Service Electric 2 Sports with Mike Zambelli, Jim Wills, and Jeff Tourial |
Radio: | 91.3, WLVR-FM, beginning at 7:15 each night with Steve Lomangino |
