Friday, December 30
Stabler Arena
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Army West Point
Lehigh to Open Up Patriot League Play Friday Against Army
12/29/2016 9:02:00 AM | Women's Basketball
View Complete Game Notes | Live Stats | TV: Service Electric 2 Sports | Live Video (Patriot League Network) | Live Internet Audio
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - With the 11-game non-league schedule in the rearview mirror, the Lehigh women's basketball team (5-6) will kick off their 18-game Patriot League schedule on Friday evening at 7 p.m. when they host Army West Point (9-2) at Stabler Arena. The Mountain Hawks will look to end a three-game losing streak overall, as well as a three-game skid against the Black Knights.
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The Mountain Hawks are in the midst of what is arguably the toughest portion of their schedule, coming off three straight defeats to Villanova, Rider and nationally ranked California. Lehigh finished the non-league schedule averaging 66.5 points per game, good enough for third in the PL. The Mountain Hawks rank second in the league with 6.5 three-pointers per game and by pulling down 40.5 rebounds per game. The team also cracks the top three in free throw percentage (71.3).
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Preseason all-league selection Quinci Mann sits second in the PL in scoring (17.6 ppg), ranks first in free throw percentage (87.8), and is sixth in three-point percentage (.304) and fifth in three-point FG made per game (2.1).
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Army enters Patriot League play with a 9-2 record, with sophomore Madison Hovren leading the league in scoring (19.0 ppg), helping the team register 70.2 points per game. The Cadets are riding a two-game winning streak, coming off wins over Delaware and Mercy.
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IF LEHIGH BEATS ARMY
-Â Â Â Â Â Lehigh would win its Patriot League opener for the third time in the last four years.
-Â Â Â Â Â Lehigh would improve to 18-9 all-time in Patriot League openers.
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ALL-TIME VS. ARMY
Lehigh enters this year's Patriot League opener holding a 30-29 edge over Army in the all-time series between the two schools, with the Black Knights winning eight of the last 10 dating back to February 2013. The two schools have met three times in each of the last two seasons, with Lehigh winning twice during the 2014-15 season, including a 76-57 win at Army in the Patriot League semifinals on Mar. 9, 2015.
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Friday's matchup will be the 28th all-time between the two schools at Stabler Arena, where the Mountain Hawks hold an 18-9 record.
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Army won the first 11 matchups in the all-time series between the two schools, with their first meeting coming in the 1983-84 season.
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In last year's three matchups, Army outscored Lehigh by an average of 24.7 points (69.3-44.6). Janae McNeal averaged 10.7 pts, four rebounds and two assists per game against Lehigh, and Madison Hovren averaged 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds to help lead Army's returners.
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Quinci Mann led Lehigh in the three games with 11.7 points on 42.4 percent shooting (14-for-33).
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SCOUTING THE BLACK KNIGHTS
Army enters Friday's showdown with the Patriot League's best record (9-2) through the non-league schedule. Riding a two-game winning streak, Army is coming off a 61-47 win at Delaware on Dec. 11 and a 90-48 win over Div. II Mercy on Dec. 17. The Black Knights' two losses have both come on the road at Albany (65-59) and Minnesota (70-52).
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Army is second in the Patriot League in scoring with 70.2 points per game, and leads the league in numerous other categories, including scoring defense (53.0), scoring margin (17.2), offensive rebounds (16.5), and turnover margin (9.6). Sophomore forward Madison Hovren leads the Patriot League with 19.0 ppg and a field goal percentage of 51.0 percent (76-of-149). She is second with 9.9 rebounds per game and is tied for third with 2.4 steals per contest. Her 19 points per game puts her 38th in the nation in scoring and her 9.9 rebounds are good enough for 32nd in the country.
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Destinee Morris is Army's second leading scorer with 8.7 ppg off the bench, and ranks third in the PL by shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range. Army is also exceptionally strong on the defensive end, not only leading the PL in scoring defense, but also with 13.5 steals per game. Janae McNeal (2.5), Diazjah Morris (2.4) and Hovren (2.4) all rank in the top five in the PL in steals per game. Lena' Hicks ranks sixth with 1.2 blocks per contest.
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Army has used the same five starters in all 11 games thus far with those five averaging 9.1 points in 25.5 minutes per game.
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ARMY HEAD COACH DAVE MAGARITY
Dave Magarity is in his 11th season as head coach at Army and his 12th overall at West Point after serving as the associate head coach in 2005-06.
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Magarity led the Black Knights to their third straight Patriot League regular season championship last season, as well as their fourth straight appearance in a national postseason tournament. Army earned an automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Tournament after also doing so in 2014. The Black Knights also appeared in the WNIT during the 2013 and 2015 seasons.
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Army completed the best season in team history in 2015-16, totaling a program-record 29 victories as part of a 29-3 overall record to match the Patriot League standard for most wins in a season. The 29 wins also gave Army their fourth consecutive 20-win season to mark the longest streak of that kind in program history.
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The Black Knights finished 17-1 in league play last season en route to the No. 1 seed in the PL Tournament, which they won by defeating Loyola 69-51 in the championship game. The team earned the No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they fell in the First Round to eventual national runner-up Syracuse.
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PATRIOT LEAGUE OPENERS
Beginning their 27th season in the Patriot League, Lehigh is 17-9 in Patriot League openers. Overall, Lehigh comes in at 175-187 in Patriot League play.
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THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 70
This season, the Mountain Hawks are 4-0 when scoring at least 70 points. They are 1-6 when scoring under 70, including a 1-3 mark when scoring in the 60's. Lehigh is averaging 79 points in their wins and 56 in their losses.
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NOT SO JOLLY LAYOFF
Lehigh has lost their first game following the Christmas break each of the last three years. The Mountain Hawks fell 63-39 at Army on Dec. 30, 2015, 82-75 vs. Duquesne on Dec. 28, 2014 and 87-80 at Columbia on Dec. 28, 2013.
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ALLOWING 90
The 96 points allowed by Lehigh at California on Dec. 11 marked the first time the Mountain Hawks surrendered 90 points in a game since they allowed 93 at Ohio State on Nov. 27, 2013 in a 93-63 loss.
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STAYING CLOSE TO HOME
This season marks the first time since the 1984-85 season that the Mountain Hawks are playing at least 11 of their first 13 games in the state of Pennsylvania. This is the sixth time in program history this phenomenon has occurred.
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THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Lehigh played seven of its 11 non-league games at home this season, the highest percentage (63.6) of non-league home games in at least the last 20 seasons. Following a 3-0 start at home, the Mountain Hawks are currently 4-3 at Stabler Arena after finishing last season 10-6 on their home floor. Overall, Lehigh will play nine of its first 13 games at home this season.
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POLARIZING ON THE BOARDS
Lehigh ranks second in the Patriot League by collecting 40.5 rebounds per game, but comes in 10th/10 by allowing 42.5 boards per game. Overall, Lehigh's rebounding margin of -2.0 ranks fourth in the PL.
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Lehigh has a completely new look to its front court this year with the graduation of Kerry Kinek and Lexi Martins, the second and third leading career rebounders in program history. Martins, who graduated a year early and transferred to George Washington, ranked third in the nation last year with 13.6 rebounds per game. Departed seniors Elizabeth Sharlow (4.3 rpg) and Amina Affini (2.7 rpg) rounded out the team's top four rebounders from 2015-16. Overall, the Mountain Hawks lost over 83 percent of their rebounds and 91 percent of their blocks from last season.
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LEADING THE LEAGUE
Team Rankings
Category                               Stat                     PL Rank
Scoring Offense                   66.5 ppg             3rd                     Â
Scoring Margin                     -3.4                     5th                      Â
3-Pt. FG Made/Game         6.5                       2nd
Free Throw Pct.                   71.3%                 3rd
Individual
Category                               Stat                     PL Rank
Quinci Mann                         17.6 ppg             2nd
Quinci Mann                         39.2 FG%           5th
Quinci Mann                         30.4 3FG%         6th                     Â
Quinci Mann                         2.1 3FG/game   5th
Quinci Mann                         87.8 FT%            1st                                                     Â
Gena Grundhoffer               84.2% FT%         3rd       Â
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FILLED TO THE RAFTERS
On Nov. 16, the Lehigh women's basketball program played host to Education Day against Delaware State in front of an announced crowd of 4,410. The number set a new Stabler Arena record for a women's basketball game, surpassing the previous benchmark of 4,078 which was set on Dec. 2, 2014 against Hampton. It was also the largest crowd in the Patriot League this season.
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PRESEASON HONORS
The Mountain Hawks were predicted to finish second in the Patriot League when the league's preseason poll was announced in October. Lehigh was one of five schools to receive a first place vote in the poll. Junior guard Quinci Mann was named to the five-person Preseason All-Patriot League team. Mann is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign where she averaged 13.3 points per game and shot a team-best 43.3 percent from beyond the arch, which ranked fourth in the Patriot League.
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FLASHY UPGRADES TO STABLER ARENA
Lehigh's Stabler Arena received upgrades this past offseason that will enhance fan experience during the upcoming basketball season. The arena had both of its scoreboards replaced with state-of-the-art Daktronics video boards that will display live video, in-game stats Lehigh featured content. In addition, two brand new auxiliary scoreboards have been installed in opposite corners of the venue, along with a new LED scorer's table to supplement the video boards. The new look is completed by new baskets/shot clocks.
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Like Lehigh women's basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - With the 11-game non-league schedule in the rearview mirror, the Lehigh women's basketball team (5-6) will kick off their 18-game Patriot League schedule on Friday evening at 7 p.m. when they host Army West Point (9-2) at Stabler Arena. The Mountain Hawks will look to end a three-game losing streak overall, as well as a three-game skid against the Black Knights.
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The Mountain Hawks are in the midst of what is arguably the toughest portion of their schedule, coming off three straight defeats to Villanova, Rider and nationally ranked California. Lehigh finished the non-league schedule averaging 66.5 points per game, good enough for third in the PL. The Mountain Hawks rank second in the league with 6.5 three-pointers per game and by pulling down 40.5 rebounds per game. The team also cracks the top three in free throw percentage (71.3).
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Preseason all-league selection Quinci Mann sits second in the PL in scoring (17.6 ppg), ranks first in free throw percentage (87.8), and is sixth in three-point percentage (.304) and fifth in three-point FG made per game (2.1).
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Army enters Patriot League play with a 9-2 record, with sophomore Madison Hovren leading the league in scoring (19.0 ppg), helping the team register 70.2 points per game. The Cadets are riding a two-game winning streak, coming off wins over Delaware and Mercy.
Â
IF LEHIGH BEATS ARMY
-Â Â Â Â Â Lehigh would win its Patriot League opener for the third time in the last four years.
-Â Â Â Â Â Lehigh would improve to 18-9 all-time in Patriot League openers.
Â
ALL-TIME VS. ARMY
Lehigh enters this year's Patriot League opener holding a 30-29 edge over Army in the all-time series between the two schools, with the Black Knights winning eight of the last 10 dating back to February 2013. The two schools have met three times in each of the last two seasons, with Lehigh winning twice during the 2014-15 season, including a 76-57 win at Army in the Patriot League semifinals on Mar. 9, 2015.
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Friday's matchup will be the 28th all-time between the two schools at Stabler Arena, where the Mountain Hawks hold an 18-9 record.
Â
Army won the first 11 matchups in the all-time series between the two schools, with their first meeting coming in the 1983-84 season.
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In last year's three matchups, Army outscored Lehigh by an average of 24.7 points (69.3-44.6). Janae McNeal averaged 10.7 pts, four rebounds and two assists per game against Lehigh, and Madison Hovren averaged 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds to help lead Army's returners.
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Quinci Mann led Lehigh in the three games with 11.7 points on 42.4 percent shooting (14-for-33).
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SCOUTING THE BLACK KNIGHTS
Army enters Friday's showdown with the Patriot League's best record (9-2) through the non-league schedule. Riding a two-game winning streak, Army is coming off a 61-47 win at Delaware on Dec. 11 and a 90-48 win over Div. II Mercy on Dec. 17. The Black Knights' two losses have both come on the road at Albany (65-59) and Minnesota (70-52).
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Army is second in the Patriot League in scoring with 70.2 points per game, and leads the league in numerous other categories, including scoring defense (53.0), scoring margin (17.2), offensive rebounds (16.5), and turnover margin (9.6). Sophomore forward Madison Hovren leads the Patriot League with 19.0 ppg and a field goal percentage of 51.0 percent (76-of-149). She is second with 9.9 rebounds per game and is tied for third with 2.4 steals per contest. Her 19 points per game puts her 38th in the nation in scoring and her 9.9 rebounds are good enough for 32nd in the country.
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Destinee Morris is Army's second leading scorer with 8.7 ppg off the bench, and ranks third in the PL by shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range. Army is also exceptionally strong on the defensive end, not only leading the PL in scoring defense, but also with 13.5 steals per game. Janae McNeal (2.5), Diazjah Morris (2.4) and Hovren (2.4) all rank in the top five in the PL in steals per game. Lena' Hicks ranks sixth with 1.2 blocks per contest.
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Army has used the same five starters in all 11 games thus far with those five averaging 9.1 points in 25.5 minutes per game.
        Â
ARMY HEAD COACH DAVE MAGARITY
Dave Magarity is in his 11th season as head coach at Army and his 12th overall at West Point after serving as the associate head coach in 2005-06.
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Magarity led the Black Knights to their third straight Patriot League regular season championship last season, as well as their fourth straight appearance in a national postseason tournament. Army earned an automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Tournament after also doing so in 2014. The Black Knights also appeared in the WNIT during the 2013 and 2015 seasons.
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Army completed the best season in team history in 2015-16, totaling a program-record 29 victories as part of a 29-3 overall record to match the Patriot League standard for most wins in a season. The 29 wins also gave Army their fourth consecutive 20-win season to mark the longest streak of that kind in program history.
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The Black Knights finished 17-1 in league play last season en route to the No. 1 seed in the PL Tournament, which they won by defeating Loyola 69-51 in the championship game. The team earned the No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they fell in the First Round to eventual national runner-up Syracuse.
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PATRIOT LEAGUE OPENERS
Beginning their 27th season in the Patriot League, Lehigh is 17-9 in Patriot League openers. Overall, Lehigh comes in at 175-187 in Patriot League play.
Â
THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 70
This season, the Mountain Hawks are 4-0 when scoring at least 70 points. They are 1-6 when scoring under 70, including a 1-3 mark when scoring in the 60's. Lehigh is averaging 79 points in their wins and 56 in their losses.
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NOT SO JOLLY LAYOFF
Lehigh has lost their first game following the Christmas break each of the last three years. The Mountain Hawks fell 63-39 at Army on Dec. 30, 2015, 82-75 vs. Duquesne on Dec. 28, 2014 and 87-80 at Columbia on Dec. 28, 2013.
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ALLOWING 90
The 96 points allowed by Lehigh at California on Dec. 11 marked the first time the Mountain Hawks surrendered 90 points in a game since they allowed 93 at Ohio State on Nov. 27, 2013 in a 93-63 loss.
Â
STAYING CLOSE TO HOME
This season marks the first time since the 1984-85 season that the Mountain Hawks are playing at least 11 of their first 13 games in the state of Pennsylvania. This is the sixth time in program history this phenomenon has occurred.
Â
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Lehigh played seven of its 11 non-league games at home this season, the highest percentage (63.6) of non-league home games in at least the last 20 seasons. Following a 3-0 start at home, the Mountain Hawks are currently 4-3 at Stabler Arena after finishing last season 10-6 on their home floor. Overall, Lehigh will play nine of its first 13 games at home this season.
Â
POLARIZING ON THE BOARDS
Lehigh ranks second in the Patriot League by collecting 40.5 rebounds per game, but comes in 10th/10 by allowing 42.5 boards per game. Overall, Lehigh's rebounding margin of -2.0 ranks fourth in the PL.
Â
Lehigh has a completely new look to its front court this year with the graduation of Kerry Kinek and Lexi Martins, the second and third leading career rebounders in program history. Martins, who graduated a year early and transferred to George Washington, ranked third in the nation last year with 13.6 rebounds per game. Departed seniors Elizabeth Sharlow (4.3 rpg) and Amina Affini (2.7 rpg) rounded out the team's top four rebounders from 2015-16. Overall, the Mountain Hawks lost over 83 percent of their rebounds and 91 percent of their blocks from last season.
Â
LEADING THE LEAGUE
Team Rankings
Category                               Stat                     PL Rank
Scoring Offense                   66.5 ppg             3rd                     Â
Scoring Margin                     -3.4                     5th                      Â
3-Pt. FG Made/Game         6.5                       2nd
Free Throw Pct.                   71.3%                 3rd
Individual
Category                               Stat                     PL Rank
Quinci Mann                         17.6 ppg             2nd
Quinci Mann                         39.2 FG%           5th
Quinci Mann                         30.4 3FG%         6th                     Â
Quinci Mann                         2.1 3FG/game   5th
Quinci Mann                         87.8 FT%            1st                                                     Â
Gena Grundhoffer               84.2% FT%         3rd       Â
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FILLED TO THE RAFTERS
On Nov. 16, the Lehigh women's basketball program played host to Education Day against Delaware State in front of an announced crowd of 4,410. The number set a new Stabler Arena record for a women's basketball game, surpassing the previous benchmark of 4,078 which was set on Dec. 2, 2014 against Hampton. It was also the largest crowd in the Patriot League this season.
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PRESEASON HONORS
The Mountain Hawks were predicted to finish second in the Patriot League when the league's preseason poll was announced in October. Lehigh was one of five schools to receive a first place vote in the poll. Junior guard Quinci Mann was named to the five-person Preseason All-Patriot League team. Mann is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign where she averaged 13.3 points per game and shot a team-best 43.3 percent from beyond the arch, which ranked fourth in the Patriot League.
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FLASHY UPGRADES TO STABLER ARENA
Lehigh's Stabler Arena received upgrades this past offseason that will enhance fan experience during the upcoming basketball season. The arena had both of its scoreboards replaced with state-of-the-art Daktronics video boards that will display live video, in-game stats Lehigh featured content. In addition, two brand new auxiliary scoreboards have been installed in opposite corners of the venue, along with a new LED scorer's table to supplement the video boards. The new look is completed by new baskets/shot clocks.
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Like Lehigh women's basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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Players Mentioned
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