Wednesday, February 16
Hamilton, N.Y.
7:00:00 PM
Lehigh University
72
at
65
Colgate
Mountain Hawks sneak by Colgate, 72-65
2/17/2011 1:15:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HAMILTON, N.Y. - Despite a sloppy first half, the Lehigh women's basketball team pulled out a 72-65 win at Colgate on Wednesday night. The Mountain Hawks have now won six-straight games and seven of their last eight.
“It was good to see how our kids competed after a rough first half,” said Lehigh head coach Sue Troyan. “It was those last five minutes of the first half that our kids competed well. We didn't shoot great, but we shot much better in the second half.”
Senior guard Erica Prosser had 12 points to go along with eight assists and six steals. Junior Alexa Williams was key in the post, scoring 15 points to go along with seven rebounds. Sophomore Kelly Peterson scored eight huge points off the bench that sparked the Mountain Hawks.
With the eight assists from Prosser, she now moves into second place all-time in Lehigh's record books for assists. Additionally, Prosser eclipsed the 500 assist plateau. She is now only the second player in Patriot League history to score 1,500 points and dish out 500 assists.
The opening five minutes were sloppy for both teams. Lehigh scored just four points before the first media timeout, both transition baskets for junior Emily Gratch and senior Kristen Dalton on assists from Prosser. Following the media timeout, Colgate got out to a 9-4 lead on a three-point field goal and a transition basket. After a layup from senior Courtney Dentler and one made free throw from freshman Hillary Weaver, Taylor Wejnert of Colgate hit a three as the Raiders had a 12-7 lead heading into the second media timeout.
Colgate held an 18-9 lead with 7:46 remaining in the first half as the Mountain Hawks were struggling to convert on offense. The Raiders jumped out to 20-9 lead 15 seconds later, but Prosser would score six points on three field goals in the next 41 seconds which ended in a layup off a steal, cutting Colgate's lead to five with 5:44 remaining. The Raiders were forced to call a timeout.
Williams then made three of four free throws on consecutive possessions, as the Mountain Hawks were trailing 20-18. After a Colgate score, Williams came back again as she scored off a rebound from a missed Prosser three. Colgate led 22-20 heading into the final media timeout of the half. Williams converted on two layups to tie the game, capping off a 14-2 Lehigh run.
After five-straight Colgate points, Gratch and Prosser scored on back-to-back possessions. Colgate led 27-26 heading into the locker room.
The beginning of the second half was action-packed as both teams combined for 25 points in the first four minutes. The Raiders had a 41-37 lead with 15:56 to go. Coming out of the timeout, Kelly Peterson grabbed an offensive board and hit a jumper in the paint. Peterson then answered back the next possession with a three to give Lehigh a one-point lead.
Lehigh continued its hot shooting from downtown, when Dentler hit a three to put the Mountain Hawks up by two. Williams then hit two free throws to put Lehigh up by four with 11:44 remaining. Dalton then hit a three off a pass from Prosser, giving the Brown and White a five-point lead with 10:25 to go in regulation. Peterson then did it again, drilling a three to put Lehigh up eight.
Colgate gave Lehigh a scare with a 5-0 run to cut the Mountain Hawk lead to three with 7:50. Senior Aly Byorick put it the commotion to rest, as she hit a three to put Lehigh back up by six. Williams continued her strong play with a layup to give the Mountain Hawks an eight-point lead. Gratch sank two free throws and Byorick drilled another three to put Lehigh up by 13, its biggest lead of the game.
Colgate cut the lead down to seven with three minutes to go, and that is close as they would get.
The Mountain Hawks will next head to Lafayette on Saturday at 1 p.m. for a matchup with a Leopard team that defeated Lehigh earlier in the season. The Brown and White return home next Wednesday to host Bucknell at 7 p.m. Tickets for all home games are now on sale and may be purchased on Lehighsports.com or by calling the ticket office at (610) 7LU-GAME.
Chasing Greatness: The Road to the Patriot League Title - Part 2
Thursday, May 15
Chasing Greatness: The Road to the Patriot League Title - Part 1
Wednesday, May 14
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball
Wednesday, March 19
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball
Wednesday, January 29
