Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh travels to take on Valparaiso Saturday
12/1/2011 4:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Coming off a tough overtime loss to Villanova Wednesday, the Lehigh women's basketball team (2-6) will look to rebound when it travels to take on Valparaiso (1-5) Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET. The game will be just the second all-time meeting between the schools as Lehigh lost the lone meeting 68-54 on December 29th, 2002 at Valparaiso but will look for a different result this time around in Indiana.
Lehigh trailed by as many as nine points with 4:50 left in the second half against Villanova on Wednesday but the Mountain Hawks went on a 10-3 run over the next four minutes. After Villanova made one of two at the free-throw line, Lehigh had the ball, down three with nine seconds left. Junior Kelly Peterson found some space on the right wing and with time winding down, swished a three from in front of Lehigh's bench to tie the game as the buzzer sounded.
The Mountain Hawks scored the first two points in overtime, but couldn't take advantage as Villanova scored the next 10 points. Junior Sarah Pearce led the way tying a career-high 13 points for Lehigh while senior Alexa Williams added eight points and 13 rebounds. It was Williams' second-straight game with 13 boards and third of the season. Lehigh shot a season-high 39 percent from the field as the Mountain Hawks made a season-high 24 made field goals.
Lehigh is led by Williams as her 9.8 rebounds per game ranks second in the Patriot League as she entered the week ranked 69th in the nation in rebounds per game. Her 11.5 points leads the team and ranks seventh in the League. Williams also has been getting it done on the defensive end as her 1.4 blocks rank sixth and 1.6 steals rank seventh. Williams is also taking advantage of her opportunities at the free-throw line as she is averaging just under seven attempts a game. She ranks sixth in the League shooting 76.4 percent as 42 of her 92 points this season have come via the charity stripe.
Lehigh will be taking on a Valparaiso team that is coming off its first win of the season as the Crusaders defeated Indiana-Northwest 80-47 on Wednesday.
Valparaiso jumped on top 8-0 over the game's first three-and-a-half minutes and never looked back as the Crusaders forced the Redhawks to miss their first nine shots from the floor. The lead grew to 26-8 midway through the opening stanza and by halftime, the Crusaders had a 41-17 advantage.
Valparaiso had seven players score at least seven points including four players in double figures led by Tabitha Gerardot who had 19 points and 10 rebounds while Mallory Ladd added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Crusaders are led this season by a trio of players who are averaging 10+ points a game. Gerardot and Ladd are each averaging 10.5 points a game while Gina Lange is averaging 10.2 points.
Valparaiso also has four players averaging at least 5.5 rebounds a game, led by Ashley Varner's 8.7 rebounds per game. Valparaiso was picked to finish ninth in the Horizon League in the preseason coaches, media and sports information directors poll.
Betsy Adams was named to the Preseason Second Team as she led Valparaiso in scoring with 12.6 points last season and finished fourth in the conference with 2.2 three-pointers per game. She played in the season opener but then was shut down with injury. Her return date is unknown.
Lehigh has faced just three Horizon League teams in its history. The first came in the 1989-90 season when Lehigh defeated Wright State 88-65. The Mountain Hawks fell at Loyola-Chicago 60-56 on December 27th, 2002 and two days later, fell at Valparaiso.
Saturday's game can be seen live for free on the Horizon League's website and can be heard on WLVR-91.3 FM and online at Lehighsports.com as Matt Markus will handle the commentary.
Check back here Friday for a video preview from Valparaiso.
Check back here Friday for a video preview from Valparaiso.
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Date:
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December 3, 2011
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Opponent:
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Valparaiso Crusaders
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Tip-off:
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1:05 PM ET
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Arena/Capacity:
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Athletics-Recreation Center/5,000
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Location:
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Valparaiso, Ind.
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Lehigh's Record:
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2-6 overall, 0-0 Patriot League
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Valparaiso's Record:
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1-5 overall, 0-0 Horizon League
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Series:
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Valparaiso leads 1-0
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Radio:
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WLVR 91.3 with Matt Markus beginning at 12:50 p.m.
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Internet Radio:
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Live Video
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Live Stats
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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Not by a computer?
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Follow http://twitter.com/LehighSports for updates
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