Wednesday, February 9
Stabler Arena
7:00:00 PM
Lehigh University
63
vs
59
Navy
Mountain Hawks sink the Midshipmen, 63-59
2/10/2011 1:53:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's basketball won its fourth-straight game on Wednesday evening, knocking off the Navy Midshipmen 63-59 at Stabler Arena. Lehigh has won five of its last six games and has a winning record in Patriot League play for the first time this season.
"It is nice to come out and get a win against a first place team here at home," said Lehigh head coach Sue Troyan. "We were joking that we are only a team that can win on the road. But it was nice to come back home tonight and get this win. I think tonight was a step in the right direction for us."
Senior guard Erica Prosser led the way for the Mountain Hawks, netting a game-high 18 points to go along with seven assists and four steals. Junior Alexa Williams had 14 points and three rebounds for a Lehigh team that shot 50 percent from the field in the second half. The Mountain Hawks allowed just 18 points in the paint for a Navy team that has strong post play.
"Our post players did a very nice job tonight," said Troyan. "Our point of emphasis was putting hands in their face, and I think we did a decent job with that."
The Mountain hawks jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, but Navy stormed back within one minute to tie the game back up at six. Then with the game tied at 10, Lehigh went on a 10-0 run, which was led off by a jumper from senior Courtney Dentler. Prosser went on to score seven of the next eight points of the run. Lehigh had a 20-10 lead with 7:40 to go in the half.
Lehigh maintained a seven point lead or greater the rest of the way for the first half. The Mountain Hawks ended the half with a small 5-0 run on layup from junior Emily Gratch and a buzzer-beating three by Prosser. Lehigh led 33-24 heading into the locker room.
In what was a sloppy second half, the Midshipmen outscored the Mountain Hawks, 35-30. Lehigh jumped out to a 13-point lead with 19:22 left in the game, the Mountain Hawks' largest lead. However, Navy would cut the lead down to seven points with 13:26 remaining. Williams then upped the lead to 10 when she made a layup and was fouled, making the ensuing free throw.
With Lehigh up 54-49 with 4:42 to go, Navy's Erin Edwards made a jumper to cut Lehigh's lead down to three. That's the closest the Midshipmen would get all night.
After going over six minutes without a field goal, junior Aly Byorick dumped in a pass to Williams. Williams fired up a shot in the paint as the shot clock expired, giving the Mountain Hawks a 58-51 lead with 1:25 remaining and sealing the deal for Lehigh.
For the game, the Mountain Hawks shot 44 percent from the field while Navy shot 46 percent. Lehigh was quietly from the three-point line, shooting 41.7 percent (5-of-12). Navy won the battle of the boards, 32-28. The Mountain Hawks had their second straight-game where they shot exceptional from the free throw line, hitting 12-of-15 shots from the charity stripe.
The Mountain Hawks will welcome Army in Saturday's WBCA Pink Zone game. All students and fans are encouraged to attend and wear pink to the game. For every fan in attendance, Lehigh Gas will donate $1 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure fund. The game can also be seen on Service Electric Sports and heard on WLVR FM and Lehighsports.com with pregame coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to tip with Matt Markus. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased on Lehighsports.com or by calling the ticket office at (610) 7LU-GAME.
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