Mountain Hawks host American in semifinals Wednesday night
3/7/2011 5:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's basketball team (21-9, 10-4) will look to earn its third straight appearance in the Patriot League Championship as it hosts the American Eagles on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the Patriot League Semifinals. The Mountain Hawks are riding 10-game winning streak heading into the matchup with the Eagles. Lehigh, who started 1-4 in Patriot League play, will look to take the season series from American and earn a berth in the championship game.
Lehigh extended its win streak to 10 games with an 82-58 victory over the Lafayette Leopards Saturday night in the Patriot League Quarterfinals. Alexa Williams posted another double-double, as she scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Mountain Hawks. Senior Erica Prosser was honored before the game by the Patriot League for winning Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. She proved to everyone why she was worthy of those awards, as she scored 17 points and tallied a team-high five assists.
American enters Wednesday with a 21-8 record after finishing 10-4 in Patriot League play, earning the No. 3 seed for the tournament. The Eagles are coming off a 72-44 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday in the Patriot League Quarterfinals. American is a tough team to beat when on the road, as it has posted an 8-5 record in games away from Bender Arena this season. Leading the offense is 2010-11 All-Patriot League First Team honoree Liz Leer, who is averaging 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Lisa Strack is the Eagles' top guard, averaging 11.8 points per contest and 4.8 rebounds. Strack is also averaging 3.4 assists per game, good for fourth in the Patriot League. American leads the Patriot League in a number of statistical categories including scoring margin (+8.1), free throw percentage (.712), field goal percentage (.416) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.294).
American holds a 16-11 all-time advantage against the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh won the last matchup on Feb. 5, 57-46. Lehigh has won three of the last four matchups, including a 58-42 victory in the Patriot League Championship Game on March 13, 2010 last season. The teams first met during the 1982-83 season as the Eagles grabbed the 72-58 win.
Lehigh has won its last 10 games overall, suffering its last loss back on Jan. 22 at home to Lafayette. During the 10-game stretch, Lehigh has been dominant, outscoring its opponents by an average of 16.7 points per game. The Mountain Hawks are averaging 71.0 points a contest and are additionally averaging 6.9 made three pointers in each victory. The Brown and White have been incredibly careful with the basketball as well, averaging 14.2 turnovers and sporting a +6.9 turnover margin during the winning streak.
With a victory, the Mountain Hawks would play the winner of Bucknell and Navy in the Patriot League Championship game. If Bucknell were to win, Lehigh would host the Bison this Saturday at 6 p.m. in Stabler Arena. With a Navy victory, the Mountain Hawks would travel to Annapolis on Saturday.
Date: March 9, 2011
Opponent: American Eagles
Tip-off: 7:00 p.m.
Arena/Capacity: Stabler Arena/5,600
Location: Bethlehem, Pa.
Lehigh's Record: 21-9 overall, 10-4 Patriot League
American's Record: 21-8 overall, 10-4 Patriot League
Series: American leads, 16-11
TV: Service Electric Sports, Channel2
Radio: 1230/1320 ESPN Radio with Matt Markus beginning at 6:45
Behind Enemy Lines: http://www.aueagles.com
Behind Enemy Lines: http://www.aueagles.com
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