Saturday, November 28
4:30 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Montana
Lehigh hosts Montana, Drexel and Villanova in Christmas City Classic this weekend
11/27/2015 12:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The Lehigh women's basketball team faces its toughest test yet when the Mountain Hawks the 18th Christmas City Classic this weekend inside Stabler Arena. Lehigh will welcome three teams who made national postseason tournament appearances and won 20-plus games a season ago when the Mountain Hawks host Montana, Drexel and Villanova. Lehigh opens up tournament play against defending Big Sky champs Montana at 4:30 p.m. Saturday before taking on Drexel or Villanova at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Free video off all tournament games will be available on the Patriot League Network.
The Mountain Hawks carry an unblemished 5-0 record into the Christmas City Classic and are coming off a dominant 74-42 victory over Saint Peter's Wednesday night. Senior Kerry Kinek and junior Lexi Martins combined to score 45 points and both recorded double-doubles as the Mountain Hawks turned out a stout defensive effort in the 32-point drubbing of the Peacocks. Martins recorded her fifth double-double in as many games as she finished with a game-high 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds, while Kinek tallied 22 points and a game-best 11 boards. Kinek also recorded three blocks, three steals and went 3-for-4 from three-point range.
Lehigh finished the contest shooting 44.8 percent (26-for-58) from the field, 33.3 percent (7-for-21) from three-point range and 75 percent (15-for-20) from the charity stripe. The Mountain Hawks held Saint Peter's to a 30.3 (20-for-66) field goal percentage and 7.1 percent (1-for-14) clip from downtown.
Montana, the defending Big Sky Champs and NCAA Tournament contenders, are 3-1 this season and carry a three-game winning streak into the Christmas City Classic. The Lady Griz have won their last three contests with victories over Portland (90-67), Pacific (64-54) and MSU Northern (80-32). Montana lost its season opener to Seattle 58-44. The Lady Griz will be playing their first road games of the season when Montana travels to the Christmas City Classic.
Trailing by three at the half, Montana outscored Portland 52-26 in the second half to post a 90-67 victory in the Lady Griz' most recent action. Kayleigh Valley scored a career-high 29 points and Haley Vining added a career-high 15, going 4 for 6 from 3-point range. Alycia Sims pulled down a team-best 11 rebounds.
McCallie Feller leads the Lady Griz with 14.3 points per game, followed by Valley with 13.3. Sims averages a team-high 11.8 rebounds per game, while Mekayla Isaak has dished a squad-best 16 assists.
The Lady Griz have outscored their opponents by an average of 16.8 points per game this season and are shooting 41.2 percent from the field. Montana also holds a +6.5 rebounding edge.
Lehigh and Montana have met once before. The Lady Griz earned an 86-56 victory on Dec. 30, 1996 when the Mountain Hawks traveled to Montana for a tournament. Lehigh is 1-2 all-time against current members of the Big Sky conference. The Mountain Hawks earned a 73-56 win over Idaho on Dec. 30, 2000 before dropping a 95-52 game to Idaho State on Nov. 29, 2003.
Drexel, who made a WNIT appearance a season ago and finished 2014-15 with a 20-11 record, is 2-1 on the young season after competing in the Preseason WNIT. The Dragons opened the season with a 69-53 victory over Dartmouth before falling to No. 20/19 South Florida 73-58. In its most recent contest, Drexel picked up a 58-46 victory over St. Bonaventure.
Sarah Curran scored 23 points and Jessica Pellechio netted 10 in her first start as the Dragons took the lead late in the first quarter and never looked back against the Bonnies. Drexel finished the game shooting 37.3 percent (19-for-51) from the field and 25 percent (5-for-20) from three-point range. The Dragons held St. Bonaventure to a 30.8 percent (16-for-52) from the field and just 2-for-18 (11.1 percent) from downtown. The Bonnies held a 40-33 rebounding edge.
The Dragons have outscored their opponents by a slim margin of 4.3 points per game this season, but have been outrebounded by a mark of 3.3. Drexel is shooting 38.1 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from three-point range and 86.5 percent from the charity stripe. Curran leads the team with 19.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Lehigh and Drexel will meet for the 26th time in program history, but just the first time since Nov. 26, 2006, should the two teams be matched up Sunday. The Dragons earned a 62-55 win in the last meeting. Drexel has won the last four matchups against Lehigh and holds a 15-10 all-time advantage over the Mountain Hawks. The series history dates back to the 1980-81 season.
Villanova carries a 2-1 record into the Christmas City Classic. The Wildcats are receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Villanova is coming off a 2014-15 season that saw the Wildcats make it to the quarterfinals of the WNIT and finish with a 22-14 record. Villanova dropped its season opener 70-64 at North Carolina State, but bounced back with a 67-55 win over Loyola before capturing a 55-49 victory against Saint Joseph's in the Wildcats' most recent contest Tuesday. Caroline Coyer led Villanova in the victory over the Hawks with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Coyer recorded the 1,000th point of her career in the win.
Villanova was 23-of-56 from the field (41.1%), 5-of-21 from long distance (23.8%) and 4-of-9 from the foul line (44.4%), while the Hawks shot 37.9 percent from the floor (22-of-58), were 0-for-10 from three and a perfect 5-of-5 from the foul line. Saint Joseph's owned a 41-31 advantage on the backboards. The Wildcats were charged with just seven turnovers.
Coyer leads the team for the season with 15.0 points per game, while Megan Quinn (13.7) and Adrianna Hahn (10.3) have also averaged double-digit points. Quinn has pulled down a team-best six rebounds per game. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents by an average of 4.0 points per game, but have been outrebounded by 9.3 boards per contest.
Should Lehigh and Villanova meet Sunday, it would mark the eighth meeting between the two programs. Four of the last six contests between the Mountain Hawks and Wildcats have gone to overtime, with Villanova claiming victories in each.
The Wildcats have won the last four games, including an overtime 79-73 victory on Nov. 14, 2013 inside Stabler Arena on Education Day. Villanova tied the game late to force overtime and then outscored the Mountain Hawks 17-11 in the extra frame to walk away with a 79-73 win and remain undefeated on the season. Three Mountain Hawks scored in double-figures, led by Kinek with a career high 23 points. Kinek also contributed eight rebounds and two steals. Kayla Burton scored 12 points and dished five assists. For Villanova, Emily Leer led the way with 24 points. Caroline Coyer posted 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
The Mountain Hawks finished the game shooting 33.3 percent (24-for-72) from the floor, 33.3 percent (6-for-18) from three-point range and 79.2 percent (19-for-24) from the charity stripe. The Wildcats shot 35.9 percent (23-for-64) from the floor. Lehigh held a 50-44 rebound edge.
Following the Christmas City Classic, Lehigh will remain home to host Saint Joseph's at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Mountain Hawks' annual Education Day game.
Like Lehigh women's basketball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content and team updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The Lehigh women's basketball team faces its toughest test yet when the Mountain Hawks the 18th Christmas City Classic this weekend inside Stabler Arena. Lehigh will welcome three teams who made national postseason tournament appearances and won 20-plus games a season ago when the Mountain Hawks host Montana, Drexel and Villanova. Lehigh opens up tournament play against defending Big Sky champs Montana at 4:30 p.m. Saturday before taking on Drexel or Villanova at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Free video off all tournament games will be available on the Patriot League Network.
The Mountain Hawks carry an unblemished 5-0 record into the Christmas City Classic and are coming off a dominant 74-42 victory over Saint Peter's Wednesday night. Senior Kerry Kinek and junior Lexi Martins combined to score 45 points and both recorded double-doubles as the Mountain Hawks turned out a stout defensive effort in the 32-point drubbing of the Peacocks. Martins recorded her fifth double-double in as many games as she finished with a game-high 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds, while Kinek tallied 22 points and a game-best 11 boards. Kinek also recorded three blocks, three steals and went 3-for-4 from three-point range.
Lehigh finished the contest shooting 44.8 percent (26-for-58) from the field, 33.3 percent (7-for-21) from three-point range and 75 percent (15-for-20) from the charity stripe. The Mountain Hawks held Saint Peter's to a 30.3 (20-for-66) field goal percentage and 7.1 percent (1-for-14) clip from downtown.
Montana, the defending Big Sky Champs and NCAA Tournament contenders, are 3-1 this season and carry a three-game winning streak into the Christmas City Classic. The Lady Griz have won their last three contests with victories over Portland (90-67), Pacific (64-54) and MSU Northern (80-32). Montana lost its season opener to Seattle 58-44. The Lady Griz will be playing their first road games of the season when Montana travels to the Christmas City Classic.
Trailing by three at the half, Montana outscored Portland 52-26 in the second half to post a 90-67 victory in the Lady Griz' most recent action. Kayleigh Valley scored a career-high 29 points and Haley Vining added a career-high 15, going 4 for 6 from 3-point range. Alycia Sims pulled down a team-best 11 rebounds.
McCallie Feller leads the Lady Griz with 14.3 points per game, followed by Valley with 13.3. Sims averages a team-high 11.8 rebounds per game, while Mekayla Isaak has dished a squad-best 16 assists.
The Lady Griz have outscored their opponents by an average of 16.8 points per game this season and are shooting 41.2 percent from the field. Montana also holds a +6.5 rebounding edge.
Lehigh and Montana have met once before. The Lady Griz earned an 86-56 victory on Dec. 30, 1996 when the Mountain Hawks traveled to Montana for a tournament. Lehigh is 1-2 all-time against current members of the Big Sky conference. The Mountain Hawks earned a 73-56 win over Idaho on Dec. 30, 2000 before dropping a 95-52 game to Idaho State on Nov. 29, 2003.
Drexel, who made a WNIT appearance a season ago and finished 2014-15 with a 20-11 record, is 2-1 on the young season after competing in the Preseason WNIT. The Dragons opened the season with a 69-53 victory over Dartmouth before falling to No. 20/19 South Florida 73-58. In its most recent contest, Drexel picked up a 58-46 victory over St. Bonaventure.
Sarah Curran scored 23 points and Jessica Pellechio netted 10 in her first start as the Dragons took the lead late in the first quarter and never looked back against the Bonnies. Drexel finished the game shooting 37.3 percent (19-for-51) from the field and 25 percent (5-for-20) from three-point range. The Dragons held St. Bonaventure to a 30.8 percent (16-for-52) from the field and just 2-for-18 (11.1 percent) from downtown. The Bonnies held a 40-33 rebounding edge.
The Dragons have outscored their opponents by a slim margin of 4.3 points per game this season, but have been outrebounded by a mark of 3.3. Drexel is shooting 38.1 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from three-point range and 86.5 percent from the charity stripe. Curran leads the team with 19.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Lehigh and Drexel will meet for the 26th time in program history, but just the first time since Nov. 26, 2006, should the two teams be matched up Sunday. The Dragons earned a 62-55 win in the last meeting. Drexel has won the last four matchups against Lehigh and holds a 15-10 all-time advantage over the Mountain Hawks. The series history dates back to the 1980-81 season.
Villanova carries a 2-1 record into the Christmas City Classic. The Wildcats are receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Villanova is coming off a 2014-15 season that saw the Wildcats make it to the quarterfinals of the WNIT and finish with a 22-14 record. Villanova dropped its season opener 70-64 at North Carolina State, but bounced back with a 67-55 win over Loyola before capturing a 55-49 victory against Saint Joseph's in the Wildcats' most recent contest Tuesday. Caroline Coyer led Villanova in the victory over the Hawks with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Coyer recorded the 1,000th point of her career in the win.
Villanova was 23-of-56 from the field (41.1%), 5-of-21 from long distance (23.8%) and 4-of-9 from the foul line (44.4%), while the Hawks shot 37.9 percent from the floor (22-of-58), were 0-for-10 from three and a perfect 5-of-5 from the foul line. Saint Joseph's owned a 41-31 advantage on the backboards. The Wildcats were charged with just seven turnovers.
Coyer leads the team for the season with 15.0 points per game, while Megan Quinn (13.7) and Adrianna Hahn (10.3) have also averaged double-digit points. Quinn has pulled down a team-best six rebounds per game. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents by an average of 4.0 points per game, but have been outrebounded by 9.3 boards per contest.
Should Lehigh and Villanova meet Sunday, it would mark the eighth meeting between the two programs. Four of the last six contests between the Mountain Hawks and Wildcats have gone to overtime, with Villanova claiming victories in each.
The Wildcats have won the last four games, including an overtime 79-73 victory on Nov. 14, 2013 inside Stabler Arena on Education Day. Villanova tied the game late to force overtime and then outscored the Mountain Hawks 17-11 in the extra frame to walk away with a 79-73 win and remain undefeated on the season. Three Mountain Hawks scored in double-figures, led by Kinek with a career high 23 points. Kinek also contributed eight rebounds and two steals. Kayla Burton scored 12 points and dished five assists. For Villanova, Emily Leer led the way with 24 points. Caroline Coyer posted 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
The Mountain Hawks finished the game shooting 33.3 percent (24-for-72) from the floor, 33.3 percent (6-for-18) from three-point range and 79.2 percent (19-for-24) from the charity stripe. The Wildcats shot 35.9 percent (23-for-64) from the floor. Lehigh held a 50-44 rebound edge.
Following the Christmas City Classic, Lehigh will remain home to host Saint Joseph's at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Mountain Hawks' annual Education Day game.
Like Lehigh women's basketball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content and team updates throughout the season.
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