Feb. 9, 2000

Box Score

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The script played out much the same as the first meeting did this season, except this time the Navy women's basketball team came back from a big half-time deficit to win over the Lafayette Leopards, 62-54.

Up 27-19 heading into the locker room, the Leopards used great first half defense to establish the eight-point lead. They held the hosts to 29 percent shooting in the first stanza, as opposed to Lafayette's 48 percent.

But again, like the first matchup, in which the Leopards held on to win, 52-50 on Jan. 16, Navy came storming back to within two just 1:40 into the second half on two Jennifer Bombinski three-pointers. It was part of a 21-point day for Bombinski, a game-high. Erica Hayes had 14 and Hilary Goodrich 13.

For the second straight game, Lafayette's opponent doubled down on Jennifer Bayer. Bayer's limited chances resulted in just 12 points and seven rebounds, although it came on 4-for-4 shooting on the night. For much of the second half, Lafayette depended on senior forward Sherry Vestal's jumper. She scored a career-high 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting, including 2-for-2 from the line.

Lafayette held a lead with as little as 4:53 remaining in the game, but consecutive three-pointers by Lauren Zapf, and another long distance dialup by Bombinski, one of her three on the day, put away the Leopards for good.

Lafayette drops to 4-18, and loses a key Patriot League matchup as it drops to 2-5 in league play. Navy earns its first league conquest, as it ups its record to 1-7 in league play and 3-18 overall.

Lafayette returns to action on Saturday as it hosts Patriot League frontrunner Holy Cross. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. It is part of a live televised doubleheader with the men's team, also facing Holy Cross.