Wednesday, February 23
Washington, D.C.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
18-9,10-6Patriot
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American
18-8,11-5Patriot
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Lehigh
18
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American
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Photo by: Josh Liddick
Outside shooting woes contribute to Mountain Hawks’ defeat at American
2/23/2022 10:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON – Holding onto an 18-8 lead after the first quarter, the Lehigh women's basketball team was out-scored in the final three quarters, including 34-22 in the second half in a 61-52 defeat to American Wednesday evening at Bender Arena. The Eagles (18-8, 11-5 PL) sweep the season series over the Mountain Hawks (18-9, 10-6 PL) in back-to-back games as Lehigh has dropped three of its last four games heading into the final pair of regular season contests.
Junior wing Frannie Hottinger returned to form against AU, scoring a game-high 18 points on 50 percent shooting with six rebounds and a steal. Senior forward Emma Grothaus registered her eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding two steals and three blocks. First year forward Meghan O'Brien led the second unit with eight points, three rebounds and two steals.
The difference for the Mountain Hawks was the lack of 3-point shooting, going 9.1 percent (2-for-22) from beyond-the-arc while shooting 32.8 percent (21-for-64) from the field. Lehigh's defense was much improved from Tuesday's game, holding the Eagles to 38.1 percent (24-for-63) shooting and 31.6 percent (6-for-19) from long distance, while forcing 17 turnovers on 11 steals and five blocks.
Lehigh led early in the first quarter, scoring the first basket via a 3-pointer from Mackenzie Kramer and kicking off the game on a 9-2 spurt with 6:42 to play in the quarter. The Mountain Hawks extended their lead to nine points with 2:26 to go before entering the second stanza with a 10-point, 18-8 lead.
The Mountain Hawks got their lead out to 21-10 with 7:34 to go after free throws from Kramer before AU clawed back to a six-point deficit with 6:56 to go. Hottinger's layup with 3:25 to go allowed Lehigh to go back in front by nine, but a 6-2 run to end the quarter had Lehigh in front by just three, 30-27 heading into the half.
American clawed back to within one point with 8:04 to go in the third quarter and eventually took back the lead with 2:56 to go, up 43-42.
Hottinger gave the Mountain Hawks back the lead with a layup with 8:53 on the clock and again with 7:21 to go following a layup from Grothaus. AU took over from that point, going on a 10-0 run to take a 57-48 edge with 4:23 on the clock. Hottinger converted on a turnaround jumper with 3:17 to play to bring Lehigh back within seven, but two final baskets for the Eagles allowed them to come out of the game with a 61-52 victory.
Despite falling by nine in the end, Lehigh led for the majority of the contest (26:43) with a total of five lead changes and zero ties. The Mountain Hawks finished with the edge in points off turnovers (11-8), points in the paint (36-24) and points off fast breaks (6-2).
Four Eagles scored in double-figures led by Riley DeRubbo with 11 points off the bench. The trio of Ivy Bales, Jade Edwards and Emily Johns each scored 10 points, while Edwards added a game-high 15 rebounds. Emily Fisher finished with eight assists, six points and six rebounds.
Next up for Lehigh is a crucial game Saturday evening at Stabler Arena on Senior Night against Lafayette in The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be aired live on Service Electric Network and ESPN+ (subscription required) with radio coverage on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM in Easton with Matt Markus on the play-by-play call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Junior wing Frannie Hottinger returned to form against AU, scoring a game-high 18 points on 50 percent shooting with six rebounds and a steal. Senior forward Emma Grothaus registered her eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding two steals and three blocks. First year forward Meghan O'Brien led the second unit with eight points, three rebounds and two steals.
The difference for the Mountain Hawks was the lack of 3-point shooting, going 9.1 percent (2-for-22) from beyond-the-arc while shooting 32.8 percent (21-for-64) from the field. Lehigh's defense was much improved from Tuesday's game, holding the Eagles to 38.1 percent (24-for-63) shooting and 31.6 percent (6-for-19) from long distance, while forcing 17 turnovers on 11 steals and five blocks.
Lehigh led early in the first quarter, scoring the first basket via a 3-pointer from Mackenzie Kramer and kicking off the game on a 9-2 spurt with 6:42 to play in the quarter. The Mountain Hawks extended their lead to nine points with 2:26 to go before entering the second stanza with a 10-point, 18-8 lead.
The Mountain Hawks got their lead out to 21-10 with 7:34 to go after free throws from Kramer before AU clawed back to a six-point deficit with 6:56 to go. Hottinger's layup with 3:25 to go allowed Lehigh to go back in front by nine, but a 6-2 run to end the quarter had Lehigh in front by just three, 30-27 heading into the half.
American clawed back to within one point with 8:04 to go in the third quarter and eventually took back the lead with 2:56 to go, up 43-42.
Hottinger gave the Mountain Hawks back the lead with a layup with 8:53 on the clock and again with 7:21 to go following a layup from Grothaus. AU took over from that point, going on a 10-0 run to take a 57-48 edge with 4:23 on the clock. Hottinger converted on a turnaround jumper with 3:17 to play to bring Lehigh back within seven, but two final baskets for the Eagles allowed them to come out of the game with a 61-52 victory.
Despite falling by nine in the end, Lehigh led for the majority of the contest (26:43) with a total of five lead changes and zero ties. The Mountain Hawks finished with the edge in points off turnovers (11-8), points in the paint (36-24) and points off fast breaks (6-2).
Four Eagles scored in double-figures led by Riley DeRubbo with 11 points off the bench. The trio of Ivy Bales, Jade Edwards and Emily Johns each scored 10 points, while Edwards added a game-high 15 rebounds. Emily Fisher finished with eight assists, six points and six rebounds.
Next up for Lehigh is a crucial game Saturday evening at Stabler Arena on Senior Night against Lafayette in The Rivalry presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be aired live on Service Electric Network and ESPN+ (subscription required) with radio coverage on Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM and 1230 AM in Easton with Matt Markus on the play-by-play call.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Team Stats
Lehigh
Americ
FG%
.328
.381
3FG%
.091
.316
FT%
.727
.700
RB
37
48
TO
13
17
STL
11
4
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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