Lehigh University Athletics
Saturday, January 23
Bethlehem, Pa.
12 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Holy Cross
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Red-hot Crusaders to visit Lehigh at Stabler this weekend
1/22/2021 11:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It's back to work for the Lehigh women's basketball team, returning to Stabler Arena for a pair of games this weekend against Holy Cross, games 7 and 8 on the 16-game schedule, both set to tip off at noon.
It was a rocky showing for Lehigh last weekend, dropping its first two games of the 2020-21 season, both at the hands of Bucknell, who are undefeated at 6-0 to start the season. The Mountain Hawks, who had won four straight to lead off the year are looking to snap a two-game losing skid.
The Mountain Hawks' defense kept them in the first matchup against the Bison on Saturday at Stabler Arena, holding Bucknell to just five points in the second quarter, but a late run in the fourth gave the Bison an eight-point win in the end. The same couldn't be said about Sunday's defeat as Bucknell nearly came away with a wire-to-wire win, gaining separation and winning by 14.
Despite coming off the bench for the first time in three games on Sunday, senior guard Mary Clougherty once again had a strong showing with a team-high 15 points in the defeat. To start the year, Clougherty has notched five double-digit scoring efforts in her first six games.
Sophomore Frannie Hottinger continued to showcase her offense as a consistent scoring option by adding 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss, nearly capturing her second double-double of the season so far. Hottinger, at 12.8 points per game, sits second on the team behind Clougherty.
Another Mountain Hawk averaging double-figures this season is freshman Mackenzie Kramer, who like Clougherty, has scored 10 or more points in all but one game this season. She is third on the team in scoring at 10.8 points per game and is second in the Patriot League for scoring by a freshman, just behind Holy Cross' Bronagh Power-Cassidy (11.7).
And though not a consistent scoring option, junior guard Clair Steele has done a lot of the little things well so far, especially ball distribution where she is averaging 4.5 assists per game, second in the Patriot League behind Boston U.'s Katie Nelson (5.0).
Against a hot Crusaders program at the moment, Lehigh has an opportunity to work out the kinks before taking on the Bison once again in a crucial Central division battle next weekend, which could ultimately decide tournament seeding as the postseason inches closer.
At this juncture in the season with just 10 games left in the regular campaign, there may not be a hotter team (besides Bucknell) in the Patriot League right now than Holy Cross. The Crusaders, who started the season off 0-2 following tough losses to a very skilled Boston University squad, have rattled off four straight victories to enter the weekend with a 4-2 record.
Maureen Magarity, in her very first season at the helm of the program, has her team clicking and in business, set to take on Lehigh in two very important matchups this weekend.
The Crusaders are coming off back-to-back victories over Colgate, both at home. On Sunday, Holy Cross pulled off a nail-biting win over the Raiders, eeking out a 63-62 win.
It took clutch free throw shooting late in the contest from Patriot League Rookie of the Week Bronagh Power-Cassidy to give Holy Cross the edge, after she was fouled on a layup and converted one of two foul shots with three seconds left to push the Crusaders to victory.
The freshman guard finished the contest with 16 points and eight rebounds while junior forward Oluchi Ezemma had herself a career day as well, finishing with 14 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Junior guard Avery LaBarbera had 14 points, six boards, four assists and a pair of steals while Magarity, who spent 10 seasons as the head coach at New Hampshire, registered her 150th career win as a Division I head coach.
Lehigh are ready to face Holy Cross for the 72nd and 73rd times this weekend, the Crusaders leading the all-time series between the two squads, 46-25.
The Mountain Hawks fell in both matchups to Holy Cross a season ago, dropping a 74-57 decision at Stabler Arena on Jan. 22, 2020 and a 65-62 final score in Worcester the second time around on Feb. 12.
The last time out, Lehigh fell to the Crusaders after leading by 22 points with just over three minutes to play in the third quarter. Holy Cross outscored Lehigh, 21-9 in the final frame to come away with the come-from-behind victory. The Mountain Hawks swept the season series back in 2018-19.
Both games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Matt Markus (PxP) and Matt Kerr (Color) on the call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
It was a rocky showing for Lehigh last weekend, dropping its first two games of the 2020-21 season, both at the hands of Bucknell, who are undefeated at 6-0 to start the season. The Mountain Hawks, who had won four straight to lead off the year are looking to snap a two-game losing skid.
The Mountain Hawks' defense kept them in the first matchup against the Bison on Saturday at Stabler Arena, holding Bucknell to just five points in the second quarter, but a late run in the fourth gave the Bison an eight-point win in the end. The same couldn't be said about Sunday's defeat as Bucknell nearly came away with a wire-to-wire win, gaining separation and winning by 14.
Despite coming off the bench for the first time in three games on Sunday, senior guard Mary Clougherty once again had a strong showing with a team-high 15 points in the defeat. To start the year, Clougherty has notched five double-digit scoring efforts in her first six games.
Sophomore Frannie Hottinger continued to showcase her offense as a consistent scoring option by adding 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss, nearly capturing her second double-double of the season so far. Hottinger, at 12.8 points per game, sits second on the team behind Clougherty.
Another Mountain Hawk averaging double-figures this season is freshman Mackenzie Kramer, who like Clougherty, has scored 10 or more points in all but one game this season. She is third on the team in scoring at 10.8 points per game and is second in the Patriot League for scoring by a freshman, just behind Holy Cross' Bronagh Power-Cassidy (11.7).
And though not a consistent scoring option, junior guard Clair Steele has done a lot of the little things well so far, especially ball distribution where she is averaging 4.5 assists per game, second in the Patriot League behind Boston U.'s Katie Nelson (5.0).
Against a hot Crusaders program at the moment, Lehigh has an opportunity to work out the kinks before taking on the Bison once again in a crucial Central division battle next weekend, which could ultimately decide tournament seeding as the postseason inches closer.
At this juncture in the season with just 10 games left in the regular campaign, there may not be a hotter team (besides Bucknell) in the Patriot League right now than Holy Cross. The Crusaders, who started the season off 0-2 following tough losses to a very skilled Boston University squad, have rattled off four straight victories to enter the weekend with a 4-2 record.
Maureen Magarity, in her very first season at the helm of the program, has her team clicking and in business, set to take on Lehigh in two very important matchups this weekend.
The Crusaders are coming off back-to-back victories over Colgate, both at home. On Sunday, Holy Cross pulled off a nail-biting win over the Raiders, eeking out a 63-62 win.
It took clutch free throw shooting late in the contest from Patriot League Rookie of the Week Bronagh Power-Cassidy to give Holy Cross the edge, after she was fouled on a layup and converted one of two foul shots with three seconds left to push the Crusaders to victory.
The freshman guard finished the contest with 16 points and eight rebounds while junior forward Oluchi Ezemma had herself a career day as well, finishing with 14 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Junior guard Avery LaBarbera had 14 points, six boards, four assists and a pair of steals while Magarity, who spent 10 seasons as the head coach at New Hampshire, registered her 150th career win as a Division I head coach.
Lehigh are ready to face Holy Cross for the 72nd and 73rd times this weekend, the Crusaders leading the all-time series between the two squads, 46-25.
The Mountain Hawks fell in both matchups to Holy Cross a season ago, dropping a 74-57 decision at Stabler Arena on Jan. 22, 2020 and a 65-62 final score in Worcester the second time around on Feb. 12.
The last time out, Lehigh fell to the Crusaders after leading by 22 points with just over three minutes to play in the third quarter. Holy Cross outscored Lehigh, 21-9 in the final frame to come away with the come-from-behind victory. The Mountain Hawks swept the season series back in 2018-19.
Both games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Matt Markus (PxP) and Matt Kerr (Color) on the call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | January 23 & 24, 2021 |
| Opponent: | Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Tip-off: | Noon (Both days) |
| Arena: | Stabler Arena (Both days) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. (Both days) |
| Lehigh's Record: | 4-2, 2-2 Central |
| Holy Cross' Record: | 4-2, 4-2 North |
| Series: | Holy Cross leads, 46-25 |
| TV: | ESPN+ (Both days) w/ Matt Markus (PxP) and Matt Kerr (Color) |
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