Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh begins six-game homestand Monday vs. Loyola (Md.)
12/5/2011 12:07:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's basketball team (3-6) will host Loyola (Md.) (3-3) Monday at 7 p.m. as the Mountain Hawks will kick off the first of six straight games at Stabler Arena over the next month. Lehigh is coming off a 41-39 win at Valparaiso Saturday and the Mountain Hawks will look to keep the momentum going in the fifth all-time meeting between Lehigh and Loyola.
Lehigh relied on its defense Saturday against Valparaiso as the Mountain Hawks held the Crusaders without a field goal for the game's final 7:44 including two crucial stops with less than a minute to go. On offense, nine Mountain Hawks scored led by 10 from senior Emily Gratch who also added five rebounds in her first game back after recovering from an injury. Senior Alexa Williams added 13 rebounds – her third straight game with 13 boards.
The Mountain Hawks are led by Williams who is averaging a double-double of 10.6 points and 10.1 rebounds. She ranks first in the Patriot League in rebounding and ninth in scoring while Williams also has been getting it done on the defensive end as her 1.2 blocks rank seventh and 1.4 steals rank ninth.
Lehigh will take on a Loyola team that has won its previous two games, most recently a 68-64 win over Army on Saturday.
The Greyhounds are led this season by senior guard Miriam McKenzie who is the team's leading scorer and rebounder at 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. Junior guard Katie Sheahin is second on the team in those categories as she averages 11.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Loyola was picked to finish second in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll while McKenzie was named to the First-Team Preseason All-MAAC Team.
Last season, Loyola finished 21-13 overall and 15-3 in the MAAC. The Greyhounds fell in the MAAC Championship Game but received a berth to the Women's National Invitational Tournament for the first time ever, and picked up its first postseason win in program history by knocking off Old Dominion 67-65 on the road.
Lehigh holds the all-time edge 3-1 over Loyola as the Mountain Hawks have won the three previous meetings. The two programs met four-straight years from 1981-85 with Lehigh winning 83-51 in the most recent game played in the 1984-85 season.
The Mountain Hawks are 32-19 against MAAC opponents including 1-0 this season as Lehigh defeated Saint Peter's 64-48 on November 19th.
Monday's game can be seen live on Lehighsports.com and heard on WLVR-FM 91.3 and online at Lehighsports.com. Matt Markus will handle the commentary.
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Date:
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December 5, 2011
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Opponent:
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Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds
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Tip-off:
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7:00 p.m.
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Arena/Capacity:
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Stabler Arena/5,600
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Location:
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Lehigh's Record:
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3-6 overall, 0-0 Patriot League
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Loyola's Record:
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3-3 overall, 0-0 MAAC
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Series:
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Lehigh leads, 3-1
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Live Video
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Radio:
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WLVR-FM 91.3 with Matt Markus beginning at 6:45 p.m.
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Internet Radio:
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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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