Lehigh University
Navy
Balanced attack lifts Lehigh over Navy 64-56
1/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh used a balanced attack on both the offensive and defensive end to sink the Navy Midshipmen 64-56 Tuesday night at Stabler Arena. As a team the Mountain Hawks shot a season-best 51 percent for the game and were led by three players who finished in double figures: junior Erica Prosser (14), sophomore Emily Gratch (14) and senior Alex Ross (13). The Brown and White held the Midshipmens’ leading scorer, junior Cassie Consedine, to zero points as Navy fell to 9-8 (1-1). Lehigh has now won 26 straight home games to improve to 14-3 (1-1) on the season.
After starting the first six games of the season, sophomore Alexa Williams made her seventh start to lead the Lehigh defensive attack.
“Alexa was big tonight and we needed all of it,” head coach Sue Troyan said. “She provided a lot of energy on the defensive end and was a nice surprise on the offensive end.”
Troyan’s thoughts on containing Consedine, “We did a nice job of putting different looks on her. We knew she likes to go to her right and we did a good job of stopping that. We gave her no easy looks.”
Senior Tricia Smith had the best all-around game for the Mountain Hawks as she finished with eight points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. Williams contributed nine points and three rebounds in the win.
“It felt good to come out and get a start,” Williams said. “Being able to shut down Consedine says a lot for our entire post. It’s what we’ve been working on the past few weeks (post defense) and it feels good to come out and execute.”
Navy was led by junior Angela Myers who finished with 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Two other players finished in double-figures for the Midshipmen: freshman Chey Arvin (11) and senior K.C. Gordon (10). Navy won the battle of the boards 33-24 and finished shooting 39 percent from the floor.
Lehigh started the game off strong building a 16-3 lead and was able to hold Navy scoreless for seven minutes during the streak. The Midshipmen crawled back into the game and got as close as three points with four minutes left in the half. The Brown and White finished off the half on a 9-4 run to take a 35-27 lead into the break.
Prosser and Smith led the Mountain Hawks offensively as they each contributed eight points. Smith was also strong on the glass as she grabbed a half-high six rebounds. Lehigh shot lights out in the half finishing at 57 percent from the field and 63 percent from beyond the arc.
The Midshipmen were led by Myers and sophomore Erin Edwards who had six points. As a team, Navy shot 44 percent in the half, but turned the ball over 10 times.
The Mountain Hawks will have another tough test Saturday as Army comes to Bethlehem.
“Army is a good team and just like tonight we know it’s going to be physical,” Troyan said. “It’s going to be a physical, tough game and they’re going to keep it low scoring.”
Lehigh will remain at home to take on the Army Black Knights Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in Stabler Arena. 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. Saturday is Heroes Night at Stabler Arena and members of the U.S. military, law enforcement, fire protection and medical/emergency personnel may buy one ticket, and get a second ticket free. All heroes in attendance on Saturday night will also receive a redeemable voucher for a free basket of driving range balls at Lehigh's Mulvihill Golf Learning Center.
Lehigh - Navy Post-Game Show
Video Courtesy of Service Electric 2 Sports
