Saturday, January 13
Worcester, Mass.
2:00 PM
Lehigh University
9-6,1-3Patriot
54
at
75
Holy Cross
10-5,4-0Patriot
1
2
3
4
F
Lehigh
11
9
14
20
54
Holy Cross
18
20
20
17
75
Mountain Hawks Offensive Woes Continue in Loss to Holy Cross
1/13/2024 5:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
WORCESTER, Mass. - Lehigh women's basketball was battle-tested Saturday afternoon at the Hart Center Arena, falling 75-54 to Holy Cross, the defending Patriot League Champions. The Mountain Hawks dropped to 9-6 (1-3 PL), and Holy Cross improved to 10-5 (4-0 PL).
"(Holy Cross) came ready to play right from the jump," said head coach Addie Micir. "They were really physical, ran their stuff and executed their stuff well. I thought we got open looks early, but we didn't knock them down, and we kind of let that get in our head a little bit."
Lehigh was looking to get its second straight league win but ultimately struggled from the start on Saturday. Janelle Allen opened the scoring 48 seconds into the game for Holy Cross, and the Crusaders would hold the lead for the remainder of the game.
The Mountain Hawks found themselves down 18-11 in the first quarter after making just four shots in the first quarter. Lehigh's offensive struggles would continue to be a problem all game on Saturday.
Lehigh went 3-of-11 in the second quarter and trailed 38-20 at halftime. The Crusaders would continue to limit Lehigh in the second half.
Holy Cross opened up the third frame on a 7-0 run and held Lehigh scoreless until 5:11 remaining. Gracyn Lovette ended the scoring drought with a layup. Lovette had five points for the second straight game.
The Crusaders continued to widen their lead. Simone Foreman made a layup with 4:20 left in the third to put Lehigh up 48-22, and that would be the largest lead of the game.
Lehigh made three quick three-pointers to cut the deficit to 19 points, but Holy Cross would go on to finish the quarter on a 5-0 run.
Despite outscoring Holy Cross 20-17 in the fourth frame, it was just too little too late for Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks were 18-of-53 (34.0%) from the field and 6-of-26 from beyond the arc (23.1%). The Crusaders had 18 more offensive possessions and were 30-of-68 from the field (44.1%) and 8-of-17 from downtown (47.1%).
Holy Cross came into Saturday's game as the Patriot League's No.1 defense and limited Lehigh offensively as none of its starters finished in double figures. The Mountain Hawks looked to their bench where Jamie Behar and Maddie Albrecht were able to step up and give the Mountain Hawks some momentum. Behar had a team-high of 11 points. Albrecht added 10.
"We needed Maddie and Jamie to be aggressive, and they came in, and that's what they did," Micir said. "We have to start feeding into that, and when our teammates do well, allowing that to carry us a little bit too. They sparked a run for us too, and in the fourth quarter, we started showing what we can do a little bit more."
Part of Lehigh's early deficit was due to Cara McCormack, who made three three-pointers all in the first half. McCormack did not make another shot in the second half.
The Crusaders had three players finish in double figures, with Foreman pacing the way with a game-high of 18 points and a game-high of 14 rebounds. Allen had 13 points, and Bronagh Power-Cassidy added 12 of her own points.
The Mountain Hawks return home to Stabler Arena on Wednesday against Navy at 6 p.m.
"(Holy Cross) came ready to play right from the jump," said head coach Addie Micir. "They were really physical, ran their stuff and executed their stuff well. I thought we got open looks early, but we didn't knock them down, and we kind of let that get in our head a little bit."
Lehigh was looking to get its second straight league win but ultimately struggled from the start on Saturday. Janelle Allen opened the scoring 48 seconds into the game for Holy Cross, and the Crusaders would hold the lead for the remainder of the game.
The Mountain Hawks found themselves down 18-11 in the first quarter after making just four shots in the first quarter. Lehigh's offensive struggles would continue to be a problem all game on Saturday.
Lehigh went 3-of-11 in the second quarter and trailed 38-20 at halftime. The Crusaders would continue to limit Lehigh in the second half.
Holy Cross opened up the third frame on a 7-0 run and held Lehigh scoreless until 5:11 remaining. Gracyn Lovette ended the scoring drought with a layup. Lovette had five points for the second straight game.
The Crusaders continued to widen their lead. Simone Foreman made a layup with 4:20 left in the third to put Lehigh up 48-22, and that would be the largest lead of the game.
Lehigh made three quick three-pointers to cut the deficit to 19 points, but Holy Cross would go on to finish the quarter on a 5-0 run.
Despite outscoring Holy Cross 20-17 in the fourth frame, it was just too little too late for Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks were 18-of-53 (34.0%) from the field and 6-of-26 from beyond the arc (23.1%). The Crusaders had 18 more offensive possessions and were 30-of-68 from the field (44.1%) and 8-of-17 from downtown (47.1%).
Holy Cross came into Saturday's game as the Patriot League's No.1 defense and limited Lehigh offensively as none of its starters finished in double figures. The Mountain Hawks looked to their bench where Jamie Behar and Maddie Albrecht were able to step up and give the Mountain Hawks some momentum. Behar had a team-high of 11 points. Albrecht added 10.
"We needed Maddie and Jamie to be aggressive, and they came in, and that's what they did," Micir said. "We have to start feeding into that, and when our teammates do well, allowing that to carry us a little bit too. They sparked a run for us too, and in the fourth quarter, we started showing what we can do a little bit more."
Part of Lehigh's early deficit was due to Cara McCormack, who made three three-pointers all in the first half. McCormack did not make another shot in the second half.
The Crusaders had three players finish in double figures, with Foreman pacing the way with a game-high of 18 points and a game-high of 14 rebounds. Allen had 13 points, and Bronagh Power-Cassidy added 12 of her own points.
The Mountain Hawks return home to Stabler Arena on Wednesday against Navy at 6 p.m.
Team Stats
Lehigh
HolyCr
FG%
.340
.441
3FG%
.231
.471
FT%
.667
.636
RB
37
41
TO
14
7
STL
2
3
Game Leaders
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballLehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball
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Season Preview - Women's Basketball
Friday, October 31
Chasing 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
