Friday, November 9
Berkeley, Calif.
10:00:00 PM
Lehigh University
48
at
80
California
Mountain Hawks fall to No. 13/15 Cal, 80-48
11/10/2012 5:39:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BERKELEY, Calif. – Freshman Kerry Kinek shined in her debut as she recorded a double-double with a game-high 18 points and 11 rebounds in the Lehigh women's basketball 80-48 season opener loss to No. 13/15 California on Friday night. The Mountain Hawks played particularly well in the second half, shooting 38.7 percent from the floor, while the Lehigh bench outscored Cal's by seven in the final 20 minutes and forced three more turnovers.
"I thought it was a great experience for the girls to play against a high level program," said head coach Sue Troyan. "They were extremely athletic and talented. We struggled at times with their pressure, but once we settled in we played pretty well."
The Golden Bears got off to a quick start, beginning the game on a 14-0 run over the first 7:03 before senior Marybeth Egan was able to stop the bleeding with a trey for Lehigh's first points of the 2012-13 season. Down 23-5, Kinek stepped up and scored the next seven Lehigh points, but four lay-ups and jumper for Cal helped the Golden Bears maintain a 21-point lead over the Mountain Hawks.
Cal's largest lead of the first half reached 26 points, but Lehigh finished the final 3:48 outscoring Cal 6-4 to enter the half trailing 44-20. Lehigh struggled on the boards as Cal was able to out-rebound the Mountain Hawks 29-16, but junior Alexandra Yantzi added three of Lehigh's five first half blocks as the Mountain Hawks showcased a presence in the paint. Kinek was the game's leading scorer with 11 points at the break as she went 4-for-4 from the line and 3-of-7 from the field, while also adding six boards.
One of the biggest hindrances in the first half for the Mountain Hawks was the 12 turnovers Lehigh committed, eight coming from steals, while the Golden Bears gave it away just five times.
"We really focused on two things at halftime: to take care of the ball more and cut the offensive boards that we were giving up," said Troyan. "We were able to do that and handle their pressure much better. I think the first five minutes of the first half was a combination of nerves and some new faces on the floor."
Lehigh began the second half by taking the ball away from Cal twice but were unable to capitalize on the extra possessions as the Bears' lead ballooned to 56-26 with 14:27 to play. Lehigh used a 5-0 run courtesy of a layup by Kinek and a three by Peterson to cut into the Cal advantage, forcing the Bears to burn a 30-second timeout with 13:49 left, but Cal was able to respond and halt the Lehigh surge.
Kinek continued her scoring barrage in the second half as the freshman added seven points in the final 20 minutes to lead the Lehigh scoring attack on the night. In front of her hometown crowd, Peterson dropped seven points as the second leading scorer for the Mountain Hawks.
"Kerry had a really good debut and held her own against a very skilled defense and opponent," said Troyan. "She really didn't play like a freshman tonight."
Lehigh shot 38.7 percent from the field in the second half after posting a 24 percent clip in the first 20 minutes. The Mountain Hawks also took better care of the ball in the second half as they turned the ball over just six times, while they outscored the Bears 7-6 off of turnovers after forcing Cal to give it away nine times in the final 20 minutes.
"We really focused on two things at halftime: to take care of the ball more and cut the offensive boards that we were giving up," said Troyan. "We were able to do that and handle their pressure much better. I think the first five minutes of the first half was a combination of nerves and some new faces on the floor."
The Bears were led by Gennifer Brandon's double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Four other Cal players reached double-digits in scoring as the Bears shot 42.9 percent from the floor.
"I think tonight was a game that can really prepare us for the rest of our season," said Troyan. "This was as athletic of a team that we will play throughout the season."
Lehigh will look to rebound from tonight's loss when it travels to Jersey City, N.J. to take on Saint Peter's on Tuesday, November 14 for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Like Lehigh women's basketball on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for the most up-to-date news, reports and recaps.
Buying online is the preferred method. A print-at-home option is available for fans' convenience.
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
