Sunday, December 1
Bethlehem, Pa.
2:30 p.m.
Lehigh University
6-2,0-0Patriot
77
vs
59
Valparaiso University
3-5,0-0MVC
1
2
3
4
F
Valparaiso
15
21
6
17
59
Lehigh
23
19
13
22
77
Lehigh Wins Christmas City Classic after Downing Valparaiso 77-59
12/1/2024 6:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh women's basketball defeated Valparaiso 77-59 Sunday afternoon at Stabler Arena to pick up its first Christmas City Classic Championship since 2010. The Christmas City Classic was presented by the Joshi Hotel Group. With the win, the Mountain Hawks improved to 6-2 and the Beacons dropped to 3-5.Â
"We talk about wanting to be a team that plays for championships and this was an exciting opportunity to get to play for one on our home court," said head coach Addie Micir. "I loved our focus, it was a quick turnaround, we needed to lock in, and we did that."
Senior guard Ella Stemmer was named the MVP of the Christmas City Classic on Sunday after averaging 16.5 points per game in the tournament.Â
"I love that she's hunting her shots, and she's not forcing it, "Micir said. " I've loved her poise and confidence, and that kid has turned into a two-way player."
Fifth-year guard Maddie Albrecht joined Stemmer on the All-Tournament team after she averaged 11 points, 6.5 rebounds and three assists.Â
Lehigh finished the game shooting 23-of-53 from the field. The Mountain Hawks were also effective from downtown, shooting 12-of-28 (42.9%). Valparaiso shot 17-of-48 (25.4%) and 6-of-21 (28.6) from long range.
Stemmer led the way for Lehigh in the title game, recording a team-high of 21 points. She also knocked down a season-tying five three-pointers. Stemmer was one of three players to finish in double figures on Sunday as Albrecht finished with 17 points and Remi Sisselman finished with a season-high 12 points.
Lehigh controlled the momentum for the majority of the game on Sunday. Lehigh led 23-15 at the end of the first quarter after knocking down a quarter-high of five three-pointers. Fandre netted the opening points of the second frame to put Lehigh up by 10 points, but the Beacons responded with an 11-0 run.
Leading scorer Leah Earnest converted a layup and a foul to put Valparaiso up 26-25 with 5:59 remaining in the second quarter, and that would be the last time the Beacons would hold the lead on Sunday. Lehigh controlled the rest of the quarter to take a 42-36 lead heading after the first 20 minutes.Â
Despite a slow third quarter from both teams, where Lehigh only scored 13 points, the Mountain Hawks held Valparaiso to just one made field goal in the third quarter. The Mountain Hawks would go on to control the game, outscoring Valparaiso 35-23 in the final 20 minutes.Â
Sophomore guard Gracyn Lovette made her first career start and she excelled, finishing with four points, a game-high of four assists, three blocks and a steal.
"She was a plus-20 tonight," Micir said. "This is a kid that is really high in the plus/minus. When she is on the floor, we are better. We needed her to be a lockdown defender, and she was."
Sunday's championship game featured a total of 44 fouls with both teams going 19-of-22 (86.4%) from the charity stripe.Â
Next up, Lehigh will take on Drexel on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Philadelphia.Â
"We talk about wanting to be a team that plays for championships and this was an exciting opportunity to get to play for one on our home court," said head coach Addie Micir. "I loved our focus, it was a quick turnaround, we needed to lock in, and we did that."
Senior guard Ella Stemmer was named the MVP of the Christmas City Classic on Sunday after averaging 16.5 points per game in the tournament.Â
"I love that she's hunting her shots, and she's not forcing it, "Micir said. " I've loved her poise and confidence, and that kid has turned into a two-way player."
Fifth-year guard Maddie Albrecht joined Stemmer on the All-Tournament team after she averaged 11 points, 6.5 rebounds and three assists.Â
Lehigh finished the game shooting 23-of-53 from the field. The Mountain Hawks were also effective from downtown, shooting 12-of-28 (42.9%). Valparaiso shot 17-of-48 (25.4%) and 6-of-21 (28.6) from long range.
Stemmer led the way for Lehigh in the title game, recording a team-high of 21 points. She also knocked down a season-tying five three-pointers. Stemmer was one of three players to finish in double figures on Sunday as Albrecht finished with 17 points and Remi Sisselman finished with a season-high 12 points.
Lehigh controlled the momentum for the majority of the game on Sunday. Lehigh led 23-15 at the end of the first quarter after knocking down a quarter-high of five three-pointers. Fandre netted the opening points of the second frame to put Lehigh up by 10 points, but the Beacons responded with an 11-0 run.
Leading scorer Leah Earnest converted a layup and a foul to put Valparaiso up 26-25 with 5:59 remaining in the second quarter, and that would be the last time the Beacons would hold the lead on Sunday. Lehigh controlled the rest of the quarter to take a 42-36 lead heading after the first 20 minutes.Â
Despite a slow third quarter from both teams, where Lehigh only scored 13 points, the Mountain Hawks held Valparaiso to just one made field goal in the third quarter. The Mountain Hawks would go on to control the game, outscoring Valparaiso 35-23 in the final 20 minutes.Â
Sophomore guard Gracyn Lovette made her first career start and she excelled, finishing with four points, a game-high of four assists, three blocks and a steal.
"She was a plus-20 tonight," Micir said. "This is a kid that is really high in the plus/minus. When she is on the floor, we are better. We needed her to be a lockdown defender, and she was."
Sunday's championship game featured a total of 44 fouls with both teams going 19-of-22 (86.4%) from the charity stripe.Â
Next up, Lehigh will take on Drexel on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Philadelphia.Â
Team Stats
VALPO
Lehigh
FG%
.354
.434
3FG%
.286
.429
FT%
.864
.864
RB
31
29
TO
18
12
STL
4
6
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
4
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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