Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks return home Saturday to host Lafayette on Senior Night
2/22/2013 10:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's basketball team looks to continue its recent momentum when it hosts archrival Lafayette Saturday on Senior Night. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Stabler Arena. The Mountain Hawks are riding three straight wins, at American, vs. Colgate and at Bucknell to move into sole possession of fifth place in the Patriot League standings, only a game out of third.
Saturday is Senior Night as seniors Marybeth Egan, Becky Guman, Sarah Pearce and Kelly Peterson will also be honored prior to their final regular season home game in the Brown & White.
The Mountain Hawks have picked up their play as of late, starting with a big 71-55 win at American on Feb. 13. The momentum carried over against Colgate and on Wednesday at Bucknell. Freshman Kerry Kinek grabbed a school and Patriot League record 22 rebounds in that game as Lehigh dominated the boards, 57-42. Kinek also added 11 points for her fifth double-double of the season (and her career). Sophomore Katie O'Reilly added 10 points and eight rebounds while freshman Elizabeth Sharlow tied a career-high nine points while adding seven boards as well.
The Mountain Hawks are just 5-9 at home this season, but 8-4 away from home (including a neutral site game). In their last home game, Lehigh picked up a big 62-40 win over Colgate, the same Colgate team which went on to beat first-place Army Wednesday night.
Lehigh will look to avenge a 68-52 loss at Lafayette on Jan. 26. The Mountain Hawks have still won 10 of the last 12 against their rival, including two straight and five of their last six at home. A win Saturday would give Lehigh a four-game winning streak to tie a season high.
Lafayette enters with an 11-15 record, 4-7 in Patriot League play. The Leopards have won four of their last seven, including three straight wins: against Lehigh, at Colgate and vs. American. They have since lost to Navy, Army and Holy Cross with a comeback win in overtime at Bucknell. Lafayette stands one game behind Lehigh for fifth place in the Patriot League standings.
Emily Homan leads the team in scoring, averaging 11.0 points per game (along with 7.2 rebounds). Danielle Fiacco is second in scoring (10.4) and first in rebounding (8.0). After that, there's a drop-off to third, Jamie O'Hare, who average 6.0 points per game. In total, four different Leopards average between 5.4 and 6.0 points.
Saturday's game will feature two of the top rebounding teams in the league as Lafayette is plus 2.2 for the season (41.0-38.8). The Leopards are second in the Patriot League in assists, dishing 13.6 per contest.
Lafayette holds a 42-40 lead in the all-time series, but the Mountain Hawks have won 10 of the last 12 meetings with the only defeats coming earlier this season at Lafayette and Jan. 22, 2011 at Lehigh. The first meeting between the longstanding rivals came in 1974-75, a 45-35 Lafayette victory. Lehigh's first win came later that season by a 32-28 final.
In the last meeting between the two sides, Lafayette downed the Mountain Hawks, 68-52. After trailing by 13 at the half, Lehigh rallied to cut the Leopard lead to just five, but Lafayette was able to outlast the Mountain Hawks for its first Patriot League victory. Guman scored 13 second half points, but a strong effort on the boards and from the bench helped propel Lafayette to the win.
The Mountain Hawks finish the regular season with a pair of road games, at Navy Wednesday (7 p.m.) and Army Saturday (1 p.m.)
Like Lehigh women's basketball on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for the most up-to-date news, reports and recaps.
Lehigh women's basketball tickets available here. Buying online is the preferred method. A print-at-home option is available for fans' convenience.
|
Date:
|
February 23, 2013
|
|
Opponent:
|
Lafayette Leopards
|
|
Tip-off:
|
7:30 PM
|
|
Arena/Capacity:
|
Stabler Arena/5,600
|
|
Location:
|
Bethlehem, Pa.
|
|
Lehigh's Record:
|
13-13 overall, 5-6 Patriot League
|
|
Lafayette's Record:
|
11-15 overall, 4-7 Patriot League
|
|
Series:
|
Lafayette leads, 42-40
|
|
Radio:
|
Live on WLVR 91.3 and Lehighsports.com with Matt Markus Pregame coverage gets underway at 7:15 PM
|
|
Television:
|
Service Electric 2 Sports
|
|
Internet Video:
|
|
|
Behind Enemy Lines:
|
MHT EP10 - Women's Basketball
Friday, February 27
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball
Tuesday, February 17
Interview after win vs Colgate 1/10
Saturday, January 10
Interview after Bucknell win 1/3/25
Saturday, January 03
