Saturday, January 9
Bethlehem, Pa.
6:30 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
American
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Mountain Hawks set to host a pair of contests vs. American
1/8/2021 10:19:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh women's basketball team is back home for two games this weekend, as the Mountain Hawks now host the American Eagles in both contests with the first matchup taking place at Stabler Arena Saturday evening tipping off at 6:30 p.m. and the second matchup being moved to Monday afternoon at 2 p.m.
You couldn't have asked for a much more perfect start to an imperfect year, as Lehigh started the 2020-21 campaign off with a bang, sweeping the weekend against archrival Lafayette to get to 2-0 to start the year for the third consecutive season.
Even though it had been nearly 300 days since the last time the Mountain Hawks took the court in a competitive setting, it looked as if no time had passed as the team did not miss a beat in the first two contests.
Lehigh was led by Patriot League Player of the Week Mary Clougherty who went off for 23 points on five 3-pointers in the season opener, helping Lehigh knock off the Leopards in OT and then dropped 20 points on four 3-pointers the very next day. Clougherty is Lehigh's first Player of the Week since Gena Grundhoffer won the award in Feb. 2018. The senior guard is averaging 21.5 points per game to kick off her final season and currently leads the nation with 4.5 made 3-pointers per game.
The Mountain Hawks had issues shooting the ball early in Saturday's contest, but figured it out once the day went on, as four players finished in double scoring figures, led by Clougherty. Emma Grothaus and Clair Steele each scored 15 points while Frannie Hottinger added 13. Hottinger earned her first career double with her 13 points and career-high 10 rebounds. Lehigh's defense was also on display in the contest, forcing 27 Leopard turnovers including 12 steals, led by Steele with four.
In Sunday's win, only two players scored in double-figures with Clougherty scoring 20 and freshman Mackenzie Kramer notching 13 points on 3-pointers in her home debut. Notably, as Clougherty and Kramer came off the bench, no Lehigh starter scored in double-figures on the afternoon.
As a team, the Mountain Hawks drilled 11 3-pointers to beat Lafayette and were very careful with the ball, only turning over the ball eight times throughout. Lehigh's defense once again forced Lafayette's hand on the offensive side of the ball as the Leopards turned the ball over 16 times. Lehigh is 2-0 in games this season when forcing 15 or more turnovers. Two victories over American this weekend would give Lehigh a 4-0 record to kick off the new season for the second year in a row.
American will finally get its season underway against the Mountain Hawks this weekend after having its opening weekend with Loyola postponed due to awaiting COVID-19 test results.
After playing in the Patriot League Championship Game in 2018-19, the Eagles had much more difficulty replicating that kind of success in 2019-20, finishing the season with an overall record of 13-17 with an 8-10 record in Patriot League play. American was ousted by Boston University in the Patriot League Quarterfinal round, 46-44.
The Eagles are led by Preseason All-Patriot League selection, junior guard Jade Edwards who had an excellent sophomore campaign. She averaged 14.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game while bringing down a team-high 21 blocks, ultimately being named a Second Team All-Patriot League selection. Edwards finished the year ranked with the Top 10 of the Patriot League in five categories, including fourth for scoring.
AU, preseason ranked fifth in the Patriot League, also returns All-Defensive Team selection Indeya Sanders, who averaged a team-high 4.2 assists per game last season. She is second among the returners averaging 6.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg. Also returning to the fold is junior Emily Fisher, taking over the primary point guard role after averaging a career-high 5.8 ppg and 59 assists a year ago.
American has a freshman class of four players, forward Emily Johns and guards Ivy Bales, Kayla Henning and Keagan Schwab. Three players opted out of the 2020-21 season including senior TaeKenya Cleveland, junior Maddie Doring and sophomore Thuraya Abdul-Hamid.
The Eagles lead the all-time pairing, 34-14, with an 24-12 mark in Patriot League contests. American has won eight of the last nine matchups dating back to Jan. 7, 2017. The teams split the season series a year ago and Lehigh's win on the road was one of just three games Lehigh has won against American since Feb. 13, 2013.
Lehigh has not beaten American at Stabler Arena since Mar. 3, 2010, when the Mountain Hawks topped the Eagles, 58-42 to win their third Patriot League Championship in program history. Since then, AU are winners of 11 straight games in Bethlehem.
Both contests will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Matt Markus and Matt Kerr on the call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
You couldn't have asked for a much more perfect start to an imperfect year, as Lehigh started the 2020-21 campaign off with a bang, sweeping the weekend against archrival Lafayette to get to 2-0 to start the year for the third consecutive season.
Even though it had been nearly 300 days since the last time the Mountain Hawks took the court in a competitive setting, it looked as if no time had passed as the team did not miss a beat in the first two contests.
Lehigh was led by Patriot League Player of the Week Mary Clougherty who went off for 23 points on five 3-pointers in the season opener, helping Lehigh knock off the Leopards in OT and then dropped 20 points on four 3-pointers the very next day. Clougherty is Lehigh's first Player of the Week since Gena Grundhoffer won the award in Feb. 2018. The senior guard is averaging 21.5 points per game to kick off her final season and currently leads the nation with 4.5 made 3-pointers per game.
The Mountain Hawks had issues shooting the ball early in Saturday's contest, but figured it out once the day went on, as four players finished in double scoring figures, led by Clougherty. Emma Grothaus and Clair Steele each scored 15 points while Frannie Hottinger added 13. Hottinger earned her first career double with her 13 points and career-high 10 rebounds. Lehigh's defense was also on display in the contest, forcing 27 Leopard turnovers including 12 steals, led by Steele with four.
In Sunday's win, only two players scored in double-figures with Clougherty scoring 20 and freshman Mackenzie Kramer notching 13 points on 3-pointers in her home debut. Notably, as Clougherty and Kramer came off the bench, no Lehigh starter scored in double-figures on the afternoon.
As a team, the Mountain Hawks drilled 11 3-pointers to beat Lafayette and were very careful with the ball, only turning over the ball eight times throughout. Lehigh's defense once again forced Lafayette's hand on the offensive side of the ball as the Leopards turned the ball over 16 times. Lehigh is 2-0 in games this season when forcing 15 or more turnovers. Two victories over American this weekend would give Lehigh a 4-0 record to kick off the new season for the second year in a row.
American will finally get its season underway against the Mountain Hawks this weekend after having its opening weekend with Loyola postponed due to awaiting COVID-19 test results.
After playing in the Patriot League Championship Game in 2018-19, the Eagles had much more difficulty replicating that kind of success in 2019-20, finishing the season with an overall record of 13-17 with an 8-10 record in Patriot League play. American was ousted by Boston University in the Patriot League Quarterfinal round, 46-44.
The Eagles are led by Preseason All-Patriot League selection, junior guard Jade Edwards who had an excellent sophomore campaign. She averaged 14.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game while bringing down a team-high 21 blocks, ultimately being named a Second Team All-Patriot League selection. Edwards finished the year ranked with the Top 10 of the Patriot League in five categories, including fourth for scoring.
AU, preseason ranked fifth in the Patriot League, also returns All-Defensive Team selection Indeya Sanders, who averaged a team-high 4.2 assists per game last season. She is second among the returners averaging 6.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg. Also returning to the fold is junior Emily Fisher, taking over the primary point guard role after averaging a career-high 5.8 ppg and 59 assists a year ago.
American has a freshman class of four players, forward Emily Johns and guards Ivy Bales, Kayla Henning and Keagan Schwab. Three players opted out of the 2020-21 season including senior TaeKenya Cleveland, junior Maddie Doring and sophomore Thuraya Abdul-Hamid.
The Eagles lead the all-time pairing, 34-14, with an 24-12 mark in Patriot League contests. American has won eight of the last nine matchups dating back to Jan. 7, 2017. The teams split the season series a year ago and Lehigh's win on the road was one of just three games Lehigh has won against American since Feb. 13, 2013.
Lehigh has not beaten American at Stabler Arena since Mar. 3, 2010, when the Mountain Hawks topped the Eagles, 58-42 to win their third Patriot League Championship in program history. Since then, AU are winners of 11 straight games in Bethlehem.
Both contests will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Matt Markus and Matt Kerr on the call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | January 9 & 11, 2021 |
| Opponent: | American Eagles |
| Tip-off: | 6:30 p.m. (1/9) 2 p.m. (1/11) |
| Arena/Capacity: | Stabler Arena (Both days) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. (Both days) |
| Lehigh's Record: | 2-0, 2-0 Central |
| American's Record: | 0-0, 0-0 South |
| Series: | American leads, 34-14 |
| TV: | ESPN+ (Both days) w/ Matt Markus (PBP) and Matt Kerr (Color) |
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballChasing Greatness: The Road to the Patriot League Title - Part 2
Thursday, May 15
Chasing Greatness: The Road to the Patriot League Title - Part 1
Wednesday, May 14
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball
Wednesday, March 19
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball
Wednesday, January 29
