Sunday, March 7
Bethlehem, Pa.
2 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Holy Cross (Quarterfinals)
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Road to Patriot League title starts with Quarterfinal matchup vs. Holy Cross Sunday
3/5/2021 1:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – It's finally March and that means tournament season across the nation and for the Lehigh women's basketball team, the path to a fourth Patriot League title begins Sunday at 2 p.m. against Holy Cross in quarterfinal action at Stabler Arena.
As everything has been during the COVID-19 pandemic, the road to the Patriot League Tournament for Lehigh has been unique to say the least. It's been two weeks since the Mountain Hawks' last contest and have played just a pair of games since the end of January.
Nonetheless, Lehigh is the fourth seed in the Patriot League Tournament and are looking to punch a ticket into the semifinal round for the third consecutive season. A win over the Crusaders on Sunday would secure either a road semifinal contest next Thursday at No. 1 Bucknell or a home game with No. 8 Loyola Maryland.
Their last time out, the Mountain Hawks split a weekend series against archrival Lafayette, falling to the Leopards on Feb. 21 in Bethlehem, 70-60, but pulling out a quality 71-57 final the very next day in Easton to improve to 7-5 overall with a 3-5 Central Division record.
In the victory, junior forward Emma Grothaus had her strongest game of the season, scoring 17 points to lead the way, followed by freshman guard Mackenzie Kramer with 16 points. Two more Mountain Hawks finished in double-digits with sophomore wing Frannie Hottinger and freshman forward Jamie Behar each adding 11.
The Mountain Hawks are still chalk full of league leaders with senior Mariah Sexe third in field goal percentage (53.7), junior Clair Steele third in assists per game (4.1) and senior Mary Clougherty first in 3-pointers made per game (2.5), with Kramer not much further behind at 2.0. Clougherty has led the league in that category for the entirety of the season so far.
Clougherty and Hottinger were named Second Team All-Patriot League selections on Wednesday, while Kramer was voted a member of the All-Rookie team for the 2020-21 campaign. Academically, both Clougherty and Hottinger were named Academic All-Patriot League selections for the first time, marking the second time ever and second consecutive year two Lehigh student-athletes achieved the honor.
Holy Cross is in a very favorable position in the Patriot League Tournament this year, as the fifth-seed, following a slow start to the season under new head coach Maureen Magarity.
The Crusaders are led by junior guard Avery LaBarbera, who was recently named a Second Team All-Patriot League selection. The junior is now a three-time All-Patriot League honoree. She led the Crusaders and finished fifth in the league at 14.1 points per game, averaging 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists as well. She ranked second in the Patriot League behind Clougherty at 2.1 3-pointers made per game.
Her last time out in the regular season finale at Boston University, LaBarbera scored 26 points with seven rebounds and four steals. In addition, she was named a member of the Patriot League All-Defensive Team.
The Crusaders' second-leading scorer is freshman guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy, who was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year for her impressive season. She averaged 10.5 points per game and 4.1 boards, reaching double figures seven times and was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week three times throughout the year.
Freshman guard Cara McCormack was the Crusaders' second member of an All-Rookie squad this season, averaging 8.3 points per game in 12 starts this year.
Holy Cross hasn't played anyone outside of its north division this season except for Lehigh, going 0-2 in those games. On the flip-side, the Crusaders are 1-4 against second-seeded Boston U. in games played this year.
Lehigh's ready to face Holy Cross for the 74th time on Sunday, with the Crusaders leading the all-time series between the two squads, 46-27. The Mountain Hawks were victorious in both matchups earlier this season at Stabler Arena, winning the first on Jan. 23, 87-68 and on Jan. 24, 83-62.
In the Patriot League Tournament, Lehigh is 3-8 all-time against the Crusaders and they last met in the 2015-16 Quarterfinals, with the Mountain Hawks coming out on top, 64-48 in Bethlehem. Lehigh has won two straight Patriot League Tournament contests against Holy Cross.
The game will be aired on Service Electric Network Channel 2 with Steve Degler and Jim Wills on the call and streamed live on ESPN+. The action will also take place on the airwaves on Lehigh Valley Fox Sports Radio 1230/1320 AM and 94.7 FM in Allentown with Matt Markus on the call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
As everything has been during the COVID-19 pandemic, the road to the Patriot League Tournament for Lehigh has been unique to say the least. It's been two weeks since the Mountain Hawks' last contest and have played just a pair of games since the end of January.
Nonetheless, Lehigh is the fourth seed in the Patriot League Tournament and are looking to punch a ticket into the semifinal round for the third consecutive season. A win over the Crusaders on Sunday would secure either a road semifinal contest next Thursday at No. 1 Bucknell or a home game with No. 8 Loyola Maryland.
Their last time out, the Mountain Hawks split a weekend series against archrival Lafayette, falling to the Leopards on Feb. 21 in Bethlehem, 70-60, but pulling out a quality 71-57 final the very next day in Easton to improve to 7-5 overall with a 3-5 Central Division record.
In the victory, junior forward Emma Grothaus had her strongest game of the season, scoring 17 points to lead the way, followed by freshman guard Mackenzie Kramer with 16 points. Two more Mountain Hawks finished in double-digits with sophomore wing Frannie Hottinger and freshman forward Jamie Behar each adding 11.
The Mountain Hawks are still chalk full of league leaders with senior Mariah Sexe third in field goal percentage (53.7), junior Clair Steele third in assists per game (4.1) and senior Mary Clougherty first in 3-pointers made per game (2.5), with Kramer not much further behind at 2.0. Clougherty has led the league in that category for the entirety of the season so far.
Clougherty and Hottinger were named Second Team All-Patriot League selections on Wednesday, while Kramer was voted a member of the All-Rookie team for the 2020-21 campaign. Academically, both Clougherty and Hottinger were named Academic All-Patriot League selections for the first time, marking the second time ever and second consecutive year two Lehigh student-athletes achieved the honor.
Holy Cross is in a very favorable position in the Patriot League Tournament this year, as the fifth-seed, following a slow start to the season under new head coach Maureen Magarity.
The Crusaders are led by junior guard Avery LaBarbera, who was recently named a Second Team All-Patriot League selection. The junior is now a three-time All-Patriot League honoree. She led the Crusaders and finished fifth in the league at 14.1 points per game, averaging 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists as well. She ranked second in the Patriot League behind Clougherty at 2.1 3-pointers made per game.
Her last time out in the regular season finale at Boston University, LaBarbera scored 26 points with seven rebounds and four steals. In addition, she was named a member of the Patriot League All-Defensive Team.
The Crusaders' second-leading scorer is freshman guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy, who was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year for her impressive season. She averaged 10.5 points per game and 4.1 boards, reaching double figures seven times and was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week three times throughout the year.
Freshman guard Cara McCormack was the Crusaders' second member of an All-Rookie squad this season, averaging 8.3 points per game in 12 starts this year.
Holy Cross hasn't played anyone outside of its north division this season except for Lehigh, going 0-2 in those games. On the flip-side, the Crusaders are 1-4 against second-seeded Boston U. in games played this year.
Lehigh's ready to face Holy Cross for the 74th time on Sunday, with the Crusaders leading the all-time series between the two squads, 46-27. The Mountain Hawks were victorious in both matchups earlier this season at Stabler Arena, winning the first on Jan. 23, 87-68 and on Jan. 24, 83-62.
In the Patriot League Tournament, Lehigh is 3-8 all-time against the Crusaders and they last met in the 2015-16 Quarterfinals, with the Mountain Hawks coming out on top, 64-48 in Bethlehem. Lehigh has won two straight Patriot League Tournament contests against Holy Cross.
The game will be aired on Service Electric Network Channel 2 with Steve Degler and Jim Wills on the call and streamed live on ESPN+. The action will also take place on the airwaves on Lehigh Valley Fox Sports Radio 1230/1320 AM and 94.7 FM in Allentown with Matt Markus on the call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | March 7, 2021 |
| Opponent: | No. 5 Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Tip-off: | 2 p.m. |
| Arena: | Stabler Arena |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 7-5, 3-5 Central |
| Holy Cross' Record: | 7-7, 6-5 North |
| Series: | Holy Cross leads, 46-27 |
| TV: | Service Electric Network Ch. 2/ESPN+ w/ Steve Degler (PxP) and Jim Wills (Color) |
| Radio: | Lehigh Valley Fox Sports Radio 1230/1320 AM, 94.7 FM in Allentown w/ Matt Markus |
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/ Women's BasketballLehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball
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