Saturday, November 27
Bethlehem, Pa.
1 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Rider
Mountain Hawks set to host 22nd Christmas City Classic
11/26/2021 11:57:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Christmas City Classic presented by SureStay PLUS Hotel by Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel and Conference Center is officially back at Stabler Arena in 2021 as Lehigh hosts the in-season tournament for the 22nd time and first time since 2018 this upcoming weekend. The Mountain Hawks open the tourney vs. MAAC opponent Rider on Saturday at 1 p.m. Missouri and Columbia face off in the second game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The winner of each matchup will face-off Sunday in the Championship Game while the losers will play each other in Sunday's consolation game. Games on Sunday tip-off at noon and 2:30 p.m. while Mizzou will play in the first game no matter the result.
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The Classic is back following a two-year hiatus. Lehigh last hosted the tourney in 2018 after heading to Nassau, Bahamas on Thanksgiving in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The tournament was traditionally hosted annually since 1997 with the exception of 2014, but has officially returned in 2021 and is scheduled to go on as planned in 2022 as well.
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It has been 11 years since Lehigh hoisted its own Christmas City Classic crown. The Mountain Hawks have won four tournaments as the hosts: in 2000, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Lehigh has been one of the teams in the championship game in six of the last seven tournaments since its last victory, falling in each of them including the last two (La Salle in '17, Charlotte in '18).
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Lehigh is cruising to start the 2021-22 season with back-to-back dominant victories over Mount St. Mary's and Merrimack last weekend at Stabler Arena following its first defeat to Seton Hall back on Nov. 16.
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The Mountain Hawks used 20+ point efforts from Emma Grothaus (31) and Frannie Hottinger (26) in a 91-72 win over The Mount last Friday night at home. Grothaus also grabbed 12 rebounds with three assists and three blocks in 31 minutes to get her first double-double in the win over the Mountaineers.
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Four players scored in double-figures in Lehigh's 85-64 wire-to-wire win over Merrimack last Sunday, led by sophomore Mackenzie Kramer and Hottinger both tallying 17-point efforts. Hottinger and Grothaus each grabbed seven boards while senior point guard Clair Steele had a career-high nine assists. Steele now has had five or more assists in five straight games to open the new campaign.
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Led by three Mountain Hawks averaging double figures in scoring (Hottinger 19.8, Kramer 15.2, Grothaus 14.2), they are by far the most dominant scoring team in the Patriot League so far this season, averaging 83.8 points per game as a team and allowing 65.2 points for a scoring margin of 18.6. Holy Cross currently ranks second in margin (+3.4), while Army West Point in second in points per game at 65.0.
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Hottinger is ranked second in scoring at 19.8 points per game while Steele is first in assists (6.4). Lehigh currently owns first, third and fifth place for 3-pointers made per game with Kramer (2.8), Hottinger (2.0) and senior Megan Walker (1.8) leading the charge.
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Traditionally a team full of talent and promise, Rider is looking for glimpses of hope following an 0-3 start to the 2021-22 season.
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Despite the start, the Broncs have faced tough competition in defeats to Penn State, La Salle and St. Francis Brooklyn. The latter is coming off a home victory vs. Michigan State earlier this week.
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Rider has fallen in those three games with an average margin of defeat at 11.7 points per game. The Broncs are allowing opponents to 74.7 ppg at 43.0 percent from the field. In three appearances off the bench this season, Lenaejha Evans is Rider's leading scorer, averaging 15.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting at a 68 percent clip while averaging 28 minutes per contest.
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Two other players are averaging double scoring figures this season with Raphaela Toussaint (11.7) and Makayla Firebaugh (10.3). Guard Amanda Mobley has been efficient in distributing the ball this season, averaging 5.3 assists per game.
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A team that went 8-18 overall in 2020-21, the Broncs still reeled off two consecutive victories in the MAAC Tournament, eventually falling to Saint Peter's in the semifinals. In 2019-20, they were 26-4 with a 18-2 record in the MAAC before the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.
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Saturday will mark the 30th all-time meeting between Rider and Lehigh when the two come to battle for the Christmas City Classic.
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Lehigh leads the all-time series 19-10, but the Broncs have drawn closer as of late, winning  seven of the last nine matchups dating back to Jan. 20, 1992. Lehigh's last victory over Rider came on Dec. 29, 2010 fittingly in the opening round of the Christmas City Classic, in which it went on to win the second of three straight CCC titles.
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The two programs have a unique history, having been foes in the East Coast Conference until 1990, when Lehigh left for the Patriot League and Rider to the MAAC. The Mountain Hawks were 13-1 all-time against Rider in ECC play.
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Heading its Christmas City Classic-opening matchup vs. Columbia, Mizzou is one of six remaining undefeated programs in the SEC.
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The Tigers have clawed to five straight victories to open the 2021-22 season with wins over Murray State (76-70), Morgan State (73-49), at Saint Louis (69-53), Idaho State (75-47) and Troy (76-63). Mizzou is 4-0 at home and 1-0 on the road and could potentially play just neutral site games in Bethlehem depending on its results.
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Mizzou is averaging 73.8 points per contest so far, holding opponents to just 56.4 points with an average scoring margin of 17.4. The Tigers are hitting their shots at a 46 percent rate including 37.1 percent from deep.
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Individually, Mizzou is led by 2020-21 Second Team All-SEC selection Alijha Blackwell, who is averaging 16.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and an assist and steal each in 32 minutes per game this season so far. Hayley Frank is also netting double scoring figures for the Tigers at 14.2 points and 4.8 boards. She is shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 86.7 percent from the free throw line.
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Last season, the Tigers went 9-13 overall and 5-9 in the SEC, falling to Alabama in the first round of the conference tournament. Mizzou was invited to the WNIT, dropping two contests to Fresno State and Arizona State.
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This will mark Lehigh's first matchup all-time against Mizzou.
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If the Mountain Hawks were to face Mizzou during the Christmas City Classic, it will be Lehigh's fifth game all-time against an SEC school. Lehigh is 1-3 all-time against SEC schools, defeating Mississippi State in the Christmas City Classic Championship Game on Dec. 30, 2010.
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Like Lehigh, Columbia continues to rise up the Mid-Major ranks week after week following an impressive start to the 2021-22 season.
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The Lions were 5-0 heading into Wednesday's matchup vs. Stony Brook, falling 91-82 to the Seawolves, ranked No. 10 in CollegeInsider's Mid-Major Top 25 in a matchup of 10-11 teams.
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Prior to its first defeat to Stony Brook, Columbia had reeled off victories to Hampton, Davidson, Clemson, Lafayette and Georgetown to open the season.
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Through six games, the Lions are averaging 77.8 points with a 42.9 percent field goal percentage, holding opponents to 69.7 points and 40.8 percent from the floor.
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Columbia is led offensively by Abbey Hsu, who has poured in 19.3 points per game with 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 33.5 minutes in six games. Kaitlyn Davis (13.5 ppg) and Sienna Durr (10.7) are also averaging double scoring figures. Davis leads the way with 6.5 rebounds, while Carly Rivera has ball distribution down lock and key with 5.8 assists per contest thus far.
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The Lions did not compete in 2020-21 due to the cancellation of the Ivy League's season, but went 17-10 with an 8-6 Ivy record in 2019-20.
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If Lehigh were to face Columbia in the Christmas City Classic this weekend, it will be the 15th matchup all-time between the Patriot League and Ivy League foes.
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Lehigh goes into the meeting with a 10-4 all-time series lead, victorious in three of the last four matchups despite an 87-80 loss to the Lions on Dec. 28, 2013 in Manhattan. Lehigh is 7-1 vs. Columbia at Stabler Arena, 3-3 on the road.
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Both of Lehigh's games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Matt Markus on the play-by-play call. Depending on their result against Rider, the Mountain Hawks could play in either the noon or 2:30 p.m. game on Sunday afternoon.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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The Classic is back following a two-year hiatus. Lehigh last hosted the tourney in 2018 after heading to Nassau, Bahamas on Thanksgiving in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The tournament was traditionally hosted annually since 1997 with the exception of 2014, but has officially returned in 2021 and is scheduled to go on as planned in 2022 as well.
Â
It has been 11 years since Lehigh hoisted its own Christmas City Classic crown. The Mountain Hawks have won four tournaments as the hosts: in 2000, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Lehigh has been one of the teams in the championship game in six of the last seven tournaments since its last victory, falling in each of them including the last two (La Salle in '17, Charlotte in '18).
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Lehigh is cruising to start the 2021-22 season with back-to-back dominant victories over Mount St. Mary's and Merrimack last weekend at Stabler Arena following its first defeat to Seton Hall back on Nov. 16.
Â
The Mountain Hawks used 20+ point efforts from Emma Grothaus (31) and Frannie Hottinger (26) in a 91-72 win over The Mount last Friday night at home. Grothaus also grabbed 12 rebounds with three assists and three blocks in 31 minutes to get her first double-double in the win over the Mountaineers.
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Four players scored in double-figures in Lehigh's 85-64 wire-to-wire win over Merrimack last Sunday, led by sophomore Mackenzie Kramer and Hottinger both tallying 17-point efforts. Hottinger and Grothaus each grabbed seven boards while senior point guard Clair Steele had a career-high nine assists. Steele now has had five or more assists in five straight games to open the new campaign.
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Led by three Mountain Hawks averaging double figures in scoring (Hottinger 19.8, Kramer 15.2, Grothaus 14.2), they are by far the most dominant scoring team in the Patriot League so far this season, averaging 83.8 points per game as a team and allowing 65.2 points for a scoring margin of 18.6. Holy Cross currently ranks second in margin (+3.4), while Army West Point in second in points per game at 65.0.
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Hottinger is ranked second in scoring at 19.8 points per game while Steele is first in assists (6.4). Lehigh currently owns first, third and fifth place for 3-pointers made per game with Kramer (2.8), Hottinger (2.0) and senior Megan Walker (1.8) leading the charge.
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Traditionally a team full of talent and promise, Rider is looking for glimpses of hope following an 0-3 start to the 2021-22 season.
Â
Despite the start, the Broncs have faced tough competition in defeats to Penn State, La Salle and St. Francis Brooklyn. The latter is coming off a home victory vs. Michigan State earlier this week.
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Rider has fallen in those three games with an average margin of defeat at 11.7 points per game. The Broncs are allowing opponents to 74.7 ppg at 43.0 percent from the field. In three appearances off the bench this season, Lenaejha Evans is Rider's leading scorer, averaging 15.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting at a 68 percent clip while averaging 28 minutes per contest.
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Two other players are averaging double scoring figures this season with Raphaela Toussaint (11.7) and Makayla Firebaugh (10.3). Guard Amanda Mobley has been efficient in distributing the ball this season, averaging 5.3 assists per game.
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A team that went 8-18 overall in 2020-21, the Broncs still reeled off two consecutive victories in the MAAC Tournament, eventually falling to Saint Peter's in the semifinals. In 2019-20, they were 26-4 with a 18-2 record in the MAAC before the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.
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Saturday will mark the 30th all-time meeting between Rider and Lehigh when the two come to battle for the Christmas City Classic.
Â
Lehigh leads the all-time series 19-10, but the Broncs have drawn closer as of late, winning  seven of the last nine matchups dating back to Jan. 20, 1992. Lehigh's last victory over Rider came on Dec. 29, 2010 fittingly in the opening round of the Christmas City Classic, in which it went on to win the second of three straight CCC titles.
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The two programs have a unique history, having been foes in the East Coast Conference until 1990, when Lehigh left for the Patriot League and Rider to the MAAC. The Mountain Hawks were 13-1 all-time against Rider in ECC play.
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Heading its Christmas City Classic-opening matchup vs. Columbia, Mizzou is one of six remaining undefeated programs in the SEC.
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The Tigers have clawed to five straight victories to open the 2021-22 season with wins over Murray State (76-70), Morgan State (73-49), at Saint Louis (69-53), Idaho State (75-47) and Troy (76-63). Mizzou is 4-0 at home and 1-0 on the road and could potentially play just neutral site games in Bethlehem depending on its results.
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Mizzou is averaging 73.8 points per contest so far, holding opponents to just 56.4 points with an average scoring margin of 17.4. The Tigers are hitting their shots at a 46 percent rate including 37.1 percent from deep.
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Individually, Mizzou is led by 2020-21 Second Team All-SEC selection Alijha Blackwell, who is averaging 16.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and an assist and steal each in 32 minutes per game this season so far. Hayley Frank is also netting double scoring figures for the Tigers at 14.2 points and 4.8 boards. She is shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 86.7 percent from the free throw line.
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Last season, the Tigers went 9-13 overall and 5-9 in the SEC, falling to Alabama in the first round of the conference tournament. Mizzou was invited to the WNIT, dropping two contests to Fresno State and Arizona State.
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This will mark Lehigh's first matchup all-time against Mizzou.
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If the Mountain Hawks were to face Mizzou during the Christmas City Classic, it will be Lehigh's fifth game all-time against an SEC school. Lehigh is 1-3 all-time against SEC schools, defeating Mississippi State in the Christmas City Classic Championship Game on Dec. 30, 2010.
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Like Lehigh, Columbia continues to rise up the Mid-Major ranks week after week following an impressive start to the 2021-22 season.
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The Lions were 5-0 heading into Wednesday's matchup vs. Stony Brook, falling 91-82 to the Seawolves, ranked No. 10 in CollegeInsider's Mid-Major Top 25 in a matchup of 10-11 teams.
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Prior to its first defeat to Stony Brook, Columbia had reeled off victories to Hampton, Davidson, Clemson, Lafayette and Georgetown to open the season.
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Through six games, the Lions are averaging 77.8 points with a 42.9 percent field goal percentage, holding opponents to 69.7 points and 40.8 percent from the floor.
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Columbia is led offensively by Abbey Hsu, who has poured in 19.3 points per game with 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 33.5 minutes in six games. Kaitlyn Davis (13.5 ppg) and Sienna Durr (10.7) are also averaging double scoring figures. Davis leads the way with 6.5 rebounds, while Carly Rivera has ball distribution down lock and key with 5.8 assists per contest thus far.
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The Lions did not compete in 2020-21 due to the cancellation of the Ivy League's season, but went 17-10 with an 8-6 Ivy record in 2019-20.
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If Lehigh were to face Columbia in the Christmas City Classic this weekend, it will be the 15th matchup all-time between the Patriot League and Ivy League foes.
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Lehigh goes into the meeting with a 10-4 all-time series lead, victorious in three of the last four matchups despite an 87-80 loss to the Lions on Dec. 28, 2013 in Manhattan. Lehigh is 7-1 vs. Columbia at Stabler Arena, 3-3 on the road.
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Both of Lehigh's games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Matt Markus on the play-by-play call. Depending on their result against Rider, the Mountain Hawks could play in either the noon or 2:30 p.m. game on Sunday afternoon.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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| Date: | November 27/28, 2021 |
| Opponent: | Rider Broncs Missouri Tigers Columbia Lions |
| Tip-off: | 1 p.m./Noon or 2:30 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Stabler Arena (5,600) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 4-1, 0-0 PL |
| Rider's Record: | 0-3, 0-0 MAAC |
| Missouri's Record: | 5-0, 0-0 SEC |
| Columbia's Record | 5-1, 0-0 Ivy |
| Rider Series: | Lehigh leads, 19-10 |
| Missouri Series: | First Meeting |
| Columbia Series: | Lehigh leads, 10-4 |
| TV: | ESPN+ (Matt Markus) |
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Players Mentioned
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