Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh looks to ride momentum vs. NJIT Wednesday
12/6/2011 9:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's basketball team (4-6) will ride a two-game winning streak into Wednesday as the Mountain Hawks host NJIT (4-2) at 5 p.m. After beating Valparaiso Saturday, Lehigh defeated 2010-11 WNIT participant Loyola (Md.) Monday behind a complete team effort. The Mountain Hawks will look to keep that momentum going as they look to improve to 6-0 all-time vs. NJIT.
Nine different Lehigh players scored in its 70-60 victory Monday as the Mountain Hawks were led by junior Kelly Peterson's career-high 16 points. Lehigh had its best offensive game of the season as the Mountain Hawks shot a season-high 47% from the field including 54% in the first half. Lehigh shot 44 percent from behind the arc including 6-for-12 in the second half as the Mountain Hawks used a 9-0 run early in the second half to extend a 10-point lead to 19 with 13:52 to go in the game as Lehigh's advantage never dipped below 10 after halftime.
Along with Peterson – who was 5-for-11 including 4-for-8 from three – senior Aly Byorick had nine points on a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc and senior Emily Gratch added eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
It was a complete team effort as 20 of Lehigh's 24 field goals were assisted.
The Mountain Hawks will hope to keep their winning ways going when they host a NJIT team that is also coming off a victory as the Highlanders defeated Patriot League opponent Bucknell 54-53 Saturday. In that game, the Highlanders had four players in double figures led by Uju Nwankow's 13 points, including the game-winning free throw with 25 seconds left to snap the tie.
For her efforts, Nwankow was named the College Sports Madness Great West Conference Player of the Week.
NJIT has three players averaging in double-figure scoring as Sarah Olson leads the trio with 11.7 points while Rayven Johnson is averaging 10.4 points and Nwankow 10.2. Johnson and Nwankow are also the team's leading rebounders with 6.4 and 6.3 rebounds, respectively.
Johnson was named to the Preseason All-Great West Conference First Team as she is the team's leading returning scorer and rebounder. She averaged 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds last season.
Wednesday's game be the sixth all-time meeting between the schools as Lehigh holds a 5-0 edge. Lehigh and NJIT have met the previous five straight years including most recently on December 9th, 2010 when the Mountain Hawks won 53-45 as Lehigh went on a 13-3 run over the game's final 6:28 to pull out the victory. Lehigh's average margin of victory in its five wins over NJIT is 17 which includes a pair of 26-point victories.
NJIT is the only team Lehigh has faced from the Great West Conference. Lehigh is 3-0 against NJIT since the Highlanders joined the Great West Conference in 2008.
Wednesday'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.
The game will also be the first of a double-header as the Lehigh men's basketball team will take the court a half hour after the conclusion of the women's game. One ticket will get you in to both contents.
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Date:
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December 7, 2011
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Opponent:
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NJIT Highlanders
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Tip-off:
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5:00 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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4-6 overall, 0-0 Patriot League
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NJIT's Record:
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4-2 overall, 0-0 Big West Conference
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Series:
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Lehigh leads, 5-0
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Live Video
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Radio:
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WLVR-FM 91.3 with Matt Markus beginning at 4:45 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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