Friday, January 28
Bethlehem, Pa.
6 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Holy Cross
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Mountain Hawks host first place Crusaders on NGWSD Friday
1/27/2022 8:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Current WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert '86 will serve as guest coach
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – On short notice with one day's rest, the Lehigh women's basketball's contest with Holy Cross has been bumped up a day to Friday night due to the expected weather, hosting the Crusaders at Stabler Arena for National Girls and Women in Sports Day at 6 p.m. Lehigh alumna and current WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert '86 will serve as the guest coach.
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Wednesday night was a tough pill to swallow, as the Lehigh women's basketball team struggled against Army West Point, falling by 13 points and having its three-game win streak snapped by the Black Knights.
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Despite the defeat to Army at Christl Arena, sophomore guard Mackenzie Kramer stepped up and put together another strong showing, scoring a team-high 21 points with a trio of triples, while senior guard Megan Walker scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. She also registered a steal, which she has tallied at least one in each of her 19 games played this season.
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Lehigh managed to shoot just 34.8 percent (23-for-66) from the field and 21.4 percent (6-for-28) from long range in the loss to Army, despite committing just eight turnovers as a team.
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The Mountain Hawks have been a very strong team on their home court this season, going 10-2 in such games including a 9-2 record at Stabler Arena. Wins over Boston U. and Navy have Lehigh with two consecutive home victories. Lehigh is averaging 77.0 points per game at home this season, giving up 60.1 points in those games as well. On the road, the Mountain Hawks have the slim edge, 65.9-65.1.
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Holy Cross has been streaking as of late, winners of five straight contests and sit atop first place in the Patriot League. The Crusaders' last defeat came at American on Jan. 12, falling 52-39.
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Since then, Holy Cross has been red-hot led by senior guard Avery LaBarbera, who was most recently named Patriot League Player of the Week for the second time this season. She has registered an astounding 10 straight double-doubles as she marches her way towards becoming Patriot League Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season
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In a win over AU on Wednesday, LaBarbera led the way with team-highs in points (17) and rebounds (12). Janelle Allen added 10 points with six boards, while Oluchi Ezemma scored nine points and added 10 rebounds.
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Holy Cross shot 41.5 percent (22-for-53) from the field against the Eagles, as well as 29.4 percent (5-for-17) from beyond-the-arc and 85.7 percent (6-for-7) from the free throw line. The Crusaders held AU to just 26.7 percent (16-for-60) from the floor and 20 percent (4-for-20) from long range.
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Speaking of LaBarbera's double-double streak, she currently has the third-longest active streak of consecutive double-doubles in NCAA Division I, trailing only DePaul's Aneesah Morrow and National Player of the Year-hopeful Aliyah Boston of South Carolina.
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A win over the Mountain Hawks would give Holy Cross its first six-game win streak since the 2008-09 season.
Historically, Holy Cross has the all-time series edge over Lehigh, 47-28 with a 39-24 advantage in Patriot League play.
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The Mountain Hawks had their three-game win streak over the Crusaders snapped on Jan. 8 following a 64-53 loss. Lehigh has won five of the last eight matchups dating back to Jan. 9, 2019.
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Wednesday's matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Matt Markus on the play-by-play call.
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Kids ages 5 to 12 can get a free ticket in advance of Friday night's game by visiting LehighTickets.com. The first 100 children in attendance will receive a free Lehigh water bottle.
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Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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Wednesday night was a tough pill to swallow, as the Lehigh women's basketball team struggled against Army West Point, falling by 13 points and having its three-game win streak snapped by the Black Knights.
Â
Despite the defeat to Army at Christl Arena, sophomore guard Mackenzie Kramer stepped up and put together another strong showing, scoring a team-high 21 points with a trio of triples, while senior guard Megan Walker scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. She also registered a steal, which she has tallied at least one in each of her 19 games played this season.
Â
Lehigh managed to shoot just 34.8 percent (23-for-66) from the field and 21.4 percent (6-for-28) from long range in the loss to Army, despite committing just eight turnovers as a team.
Â
The Mountain Hawks have been a very strong team on their home court this season, going 10-2 in such games including a 9-2 record at Stabler Arena. Wins over Boston U. and Navy have Lehigh with two consecutive home victories. Lehigh is averaging 77.0 points per game at home this season, giving up 60.1 points in those games as well. On the road, the Mountain Hawks have the slim edge, 65.9-65.1.
Â
Holy Cross has been streaking as of late, winners of five straight contests and sit atop first place in the Patriot League. The Crusaders' last defeat came at American on Jan. 12, falling 52-39.
Â
Since then, Holy Cross has been red-hot led by senior guard Avery LaBarbera, who was most recently named Patriot League Player of the Week for the second time this season. She has registered an astounding 10 straight double-doubles as she marches her way towards becoming Patriot League Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season
Â
In a win over AU on Wednesday, LaBarbera led the way with team-highs in points (17) and rebounds (12). Janelle Allen added 10 points with six boards, while Oluchi Ezemma scored nine points and added 10 rebounds.
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Holy Cross shot 41.5 percent (22-for-53) from the field against the Eagles, as well as 29.4 percent (5-for-17) from beyond-the-arc and 85.7 percent (6-for-7) from the free throw line. The Crusaders held AU to just 26.7 percent (16-for-60) from the floor and 20 percent (4-for-20) from long range.
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Speaking of LaBarbera's double-double streak, she currently has the third-longest active streak of consecutive double-doubles in NCAA Division I, trailing only DePaul's Aneesah Morrow and National Player of the Year-hopeful Aliyah Boston of South Carolina.
Â
A win over the Mountain Hawks would give Holy Cross its first six-game win streak since the 2008-09 season.
Historically, Holy Cross has the all-time series edge over Lehigh, 47-28 with a 39-24 advantage in Patriot League play.
Â
The Mountain Hawks had their three-game win streak over the Crusaders snapped on Jan. 8 following a 64-53 loss. Lehigh has won five of the last eight matchups dating back to Jan. 9, 2019.
Â
Wednesday's matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Matt Markus on the play-by-play call.
Â
Kids ages 5 to 12 can get a free ticket in advance of Friday night's game by visiting LehighTickets.com. The first 100 children in attendance will receive a free Lehigh water bottle.
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Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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| Date: | January 28, 2022 |
| Opponent: | Holy Cross Crusaders |
| Tip-off: | 6 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Stabler Arena (5,600) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 13-6, 5-3 PL |
| Holy Cross' Record: | 13-6, 7-1 PL |
| Series History: | Holy Cross leads, 47-28 |
| TV: | ESPN+ (Matt Markus) |
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