Sunday, December 29
Bethlehem, Pa.
1:00 PM
Lehigh University
9-3,0-0Patriot
81
vs
22
Misericordia University
2-8,0-0MAC Freedom
1
2
3
4
F
Misericordia
6
0
7
9
22
Lehigh
19
18
16
28
81
Lehigh Dominates Misericordia, Allows Second-Fewest Points in Program History
12/29/2024 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh women's basketball picked up a dominating 81-22 win over Misericordia Sunday afternoon at Stabler Arena in the non-league finale. With the win, Lehigh improved to 9-3 overall and a 6-0 record at home for the 2024-25 season.
"We talk a lot about next man-up and staying ready, and we had a lot of players that got to show off their skill set," said head coach Addie Micir.
Lehigh's 22 points allowed was the second-fewest in program history. The Mountain Hawks were just one point away from tying a record from 1975 when Lehigh picked up a 48-21 win over Centenary.Â
Misericordia led 6-4 at the first media timeout with 5:06 remaining in the first frame, but Lehigh responded with a 40-0 run. Lehigh's incredible defense was on display in the first half, holding Misericordia to a second-quarter shutout and a scoring drought that lasted 17 minutes.
Lehigh held a 37-6 lead at halftime. The Cougars broke their 17-minute scoring drought with 7:59 remaining in the third quarter after Ava Cirgliano netted a layup.Â
Lehigh opened the third quarter right where it left off, going on a 6-0 run. The Mountain Hawks led 53-13 heading into the final frame.
Lehigh saved its best shooting performance for the fourth quarter, shooting 10-of-13 (76.9%) from the field, including a quarter-high four three-pointers. The Mountain Hawks never left their foot off the gas, outscoring Misericordia 28-9 in the final 10 minutes.Â
Sunday's game featured Lehigh's share-it-and-shoot-it mentality as 12 different players scored for the Mountain Hawks. Sophomore guard Graacyn Lovette finished with a game-high of 13 points after going 6-of-7 from the field. Lovette also corralled four rebounds and three assists.Â
"She plays so hard and is willing to do whatever for us whenever," Micir said. I thought she did a really nice job staying ready. I thought out two first-years that played were great and I loved Katie Hurt coming in, knocking down some three-pointers and grabbing some defensive boards. She's been working at practice, and for her to get to show it off is awesome."
First-year Keshia Vitalicio also finished in double figures for the first time in her career, tallying 10 points. She also played a career-high 22 minutes. Junior guard Katie Hurt had a career-high nine points and five rebounds. Hurt knocked down two three-pointers on Sunday.Â
Lehigh was effective on Sunday, shooting 32-of-64 (50.0%) from the field and 9-of-26 (34.6%) from long range. The Mountain Hawks also recorded 20 assists on Sunday. Vitalicio, senior guard Colleen McQuillen, fifth-year wing Maddie Albrecht and sophomore forward Whitney Lind finished with three assists apiece.Â
The Cougars shot 10-of-51 (19.6%) from the field and 1-of-11 (9.1%) from deep. Cirgliano finished with a team-high 11 points.Â
Lehigh held a 44-30 advantage in rebounds on Sunday.
Next up, Lehigh will take on Bucknell in the Patriot League opener on Jan. 2 at 6 pm. In Lewisburg, Pa. Thursday's game will air on ESPN+.Â
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"We talk a lot about next man-up and staying ready, and we had a lot of players that got to show off their skill set," said head coach Addie Micir.
Lehigh's 22 points allowed was the second-fewest in program history. The Mountain Hawks were just one point away from tying a record from 1975 when Lehigh picked up a 48-21 win over Centenary.Â
Misericordia led 6-4 at the first media timeout with 5:06 remaining in the first frame, but Lehigh responded with a 40-0 run. Lehigh's incredible defense was on display in the first half, holding Misericordia to a second-quarter shutout and a scoring drought that lasted 17 minutes.
Lehigh held a 37-6 lead at halftime. The Cougars broke their 17-minute scoring drought with 7:59 remaining in the third quarter after Ava Cirgliano netted a layup.Â
Lehigh opened the third quarter right where it left off, going on a 6-0 run. The Mountain Hawks led 53-13 heading into the final frame.
Lehigh saved its best shooting performance for the fourth quarter, shooting 10-of-13 (76.9%) from the field, including a quarter-high four three-pointers. The Mountain Hawks never left their foot off the gas, outscoring Misericordia 28-9 in the final 10 minutes.Â
Sunday's game featured Lehigh's share-it-and-shoot-it mentality as 12 different players scored for the Mountain Hawks. Sophomore guard Graacyn Lovette finished with a game-high of 13 points after going 6-of-7 from the field. Lovette also corralled four rebounds and three assists.Â
"She plays so hard and is willing to do whatever for us whenever," Micir said. I thought she did a really nice job staying ready. I thought out two first-years that played were great and I loved Katie Hurt coming in, knocking down some three-pointers and grabbing some defensive boards. She's been working at practice, and for her to get to show it off is awesome."
First-year Keshia Vitalicio also finished in double figures for the first time in her career, tallying 10 points. She also played a career-high 22 minutes. Junior guard Katie Hurt had a career-high nine points and five rebounds. Hurt knocked down two three-pointers on Sunday.Â
Lehigh was effective on Sunday, shooting 32-of-64 (50.0%) from the field and 9-of-26 (34.6%) from long range. The Mountain Hawks also recorded 20 assists on Sunday. Vitalicio, senior guard Colleen McQuillen, fifth-year wing Maddie Albrecht and sophomore forward Whitney Lind finished with three assists apiece.Â
The Cougars shot 10-of-51 (19.6%) from the field and 1-of-11 (9.1%) from deep. Cirgliano finished with a team-high 11 points.Â
Lehigh held a 44-30 advantage in rebounds on Sunday.
Next up, Lehigh will take on Bucknell in the Patriot League opener on Jan. 2 at 6 pm. In Lewisburg, Pa. Thursday's game will air on ESPN+.Â
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Team Stats
Mis
Lehigh
FG%
.196
.500
3FG%
.091
.346
FT%
.333
.667
RB
30
44
TO
28
15
STL
8
16
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
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