Lehigh University Athletics
Wednesday, January 22
Bethlehem, Pa.
6 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Holy Cross
Photo by: Brent Hugo
Lehigh looks to get back on track with home matchup vs. Holy Cross Wednesday
1/21/2020 6:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Coming off one of its most disappointing performances of the season, the Lehigh women's basketball team returns to Stabler Arena for the second straight game, looking to get back on track after falling for the first time in Patriot League play and for the first time in nearly a month. Lehigh will host Holy Cross on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. in a battle between the top two teams in the Patriot League preseason poll.
The Mountain Hawks had a bit of a setback in a 71-50 defeat to Bucknell Saturday afternoon, seeing their six-game win streak and nine-game home win streak snapped at the hands of the Bison after being controlled through all four quarters of play.
Lehigh was trailing 20-7 at the end of the first quarter and fell in a 17-point hole to Bucknell at halftime, unable to put together any kind of rally to come away with its 14th victory of the 2019-20 season.
In the loss, senior Cameryn Benz put together her team-leading fourth double-double performance of the season with her 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead the team, while senior Camryn Buhr finished with 10 points, while fellow senior Hannah Hedstrom chipped in eight points.
Despite the tough defeat, Lehigh has still won six of its last seven games and eight of its last 10 since Thanksgiving weekend losses to Ball State and Fordham at the Bahamas.
Holy Cross will be a tough opponent for Lehigh, another physical team with impressive skills on the perimeter, so tight defense will be a must for the Mountain Hawks, who still allow an average of 56.5 points per game this season and the 71 given up to Bucknell was somewhat of an anomaly. The Lehigh bench must also step up in key situations, with sophomores Emma Grothaus and Clair Steele only contributing a combined 12 of Lehigh's 50 points against the Bison.
It looked like it was going to be a seamless start for Holy Cross this season, and for the most part, it was. But after the Crusaders started off Patriot League play at 3-0, they have dropped two of their last three games.
Most recently, however, Holy Cross hosted American and came away with a 72-59 victory over the Eagles.
Lauren Manis led the way with 22 points and 15 rebounds, adding six assists and a block to pace the Crusaders. Manis went 7-for-15 from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond-the-arc, including 4-for-5 from the free throw line.
Avery LaBarbera, who has battled minor injuries recently, looked like herself vs. AU, scoring 18 points with five assists andtwo steals. Like Manis, LaBarbera also had four 3-pointers for Holy Cross, while Kathryn Pedi was perfect from the field, going 3-for-3, all from distance for nine points. Madalyn Smith struggled from the field, going 1-for-9, but finished with nine assists.
The Crusaders shot 45 percent (27-for-60) from the field, 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from beyond.
Holy Cross was picked second in the preseason Patriot League poll, a spot behind the Mountain Hawks, getting wins over Boston College, Bryant, Merrimack, UNH and Stetson in non-league play.
Lehigh will take on Holy Cross for the 70th time on Wednesday night, the Crusaders with the more favorable results over the Mountain Hawks, leading the all-time series, 44-25. Lehigh has won the last two matchups, both coming during the 2018-19 campaign.
Lehigh is 14-16 all-time vs. Holy Cross at home, winning the last matchup at Stabler Arena last year, 64-55.
Wednesday night's game will be broadcast live on Service Electric 2 Sports as well as through the Patriot League Network with live audio available on Lehighsports.com with Matt Markus on the Play-by-Play call. His pre-game show begins at 5:50 p.m.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
The Mountain Hawks had a bit of a setback in a 71-50 defeat to Bucknell Saturday afternoon, seeing their six-game win streak and nine-game home win streak snapped at the hands of the Bison after being controlled through all four quarters of play.
Lehigh was trailing 20-7 at the end of the first quarter and fell in a 17-point hole to Bucknell at halftime, unable to put together any kind of rally to come away with its 14th victory of the 2019-20 season.
In the loss, senior Cameryn Benz put together her team-leading fourth double-double performance of the season with her 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead the team, while senior Camryn Buhr finished with 10 points, while fellow senior Hannah Hedstrom chipped in eight points.
Despite the tough defeat, Lehigh has still won six of its last seven games and eight of its last 10 since Thanksgiving weekend losses to Ball State and Fordham at the Bahamas.
Holy Cross will be a tough opponent for Lehigh, another physical team with impressive skills on the perimeter, so tight defense will be a must for the Mountain Hawks, who still allow an average of 56.5 points per game this season and the 71 given up to Bucknell was somewhat of an anomaly. The Lehigh bench must also step up in key situations, with sophomores Emma Grothaus and Clair Steele only contributing a combined 12 of Lehigh's 50 points against the Bison.
It looked like it was going to be a seamless start for Holy Cross this season, and for the most part, it was. But after the Crusaders started off Patriot League play at 3-0, they have dropped two of their last three games.
Most recently, however, Holy Cross hosted American and came away with a 72-59 victory over the Eagles.
Lauren Manis led the way with 22 points and 15 rebounds, adding six assists and a block to pace the Crusaders. Manis went 7-for-15 from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond-the-arc, including 4-for-5 from the free throw line.
Avery LaBarbera, who has battled minor injuries recently, looked like herself vs. AU, scoring 18 points with five assists andtwo steals. Like Manis, LaBarbera also had four 3-pointers for Holy Cross, while Kathryn Pedi was perfect from the field, going 3-for-3, all from distance for nine points. Madalyn Smith struggled from the field, going 1-for-9, but finished with nine assists.
The Crusaders shot 45 percent (27-for-60) from the field, 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from beyond.
Holy Cross was picked second in the preseason Patriot League poll, a spot behind the Mountain Hawks, getting wins over Boston College, Bryant, Merrimack, UNH and Stetson in non-league play.
Lehigh will take on Holy Cross for the 70th time on Wednesday night, the Crusaders with the more favorable results over the Mountain Hawks, leading the all-time series, 44-25. Lehigh has won the last two matchups, both coming during the 2018-19 campaign.
Lehigh is 14-16 all-time vs. Holy Cross at home, winning the last matchup at Stabler Arena last year, 64-55.
Wednesday night's game will be broadcast live on Service Electric 2 Sports as well as through the Patriot League Network with live audio available on Lehighsports.com with Matt Markus on the Play-by-Play call. His pre-game show begins at 5:50 p.m.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | January 22, 2020 |
| Opponent: | Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Tip-off: | 6 p.m. |
| Arena/Capacity: | Stabler Arena/5,600 |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 13-4, 5-1 Patriot League |
| Holy Cross' Record: | 11-6, 4-2 Patriot League |
| Series: | Holy Cross leads, 44-25 |
| TV: | Service Electric 2 Sports |
| Internet Video: | Patriot League Network |
| Internet Audio: | Lehighsports.com/watch with Matt Markus on Play-by-Play |
Players Mentioned
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