Jan. 24, 2003
Box Score
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette women's basketball team watched host Lehigh close the first-half on a 17-0 scoring run en route to a 70-43 loss to the Mountain Hawks on Friday night at Stabler Arena.
The Lehigh (6-10, 2-2) run came on the heels of consecutive Lafayette field goals by Colleen Fitzpatrick that put the Leopards ahead 17-13 at the eight-minute mark in the opening half. Both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net early on. Lehigh misfired on its first 10 three point field goals, and the Leopards finished the half 7-of-27 from the field. However, Lafayette (2-14, 1-3) held an early lead on the strength of their scrappy play on the offensive end, and their defensive tenacity.
Lafayette communicated on the defensive end and mixed it up from man to zone early on, trapping and double-teaming the post against a confused Lehigh team.
After a timeout, the Mountain Hawks adjusted and Jana Ransom connected on consecutive jump shots, and All-Patriot League center Anne Tierney netted three baskets to spark a 17-0 run, for a 30-17 Lehigh lead at the half.
Lehigh stretched its lead to 35-17 early in the second-half before Lafayette countered with six quick points to cut the deficit to 12 at the 15-minute mark. Liz Rojahn and Kristin Doherty connected on consecutive transition jump shots, and Doherty, the Patriot League's fourth rated foul shooter added two free throws.
Lehigh answered again on the offensive end, and Lafayette's leading scorer, Fitzpatrick, was forced to the bench with four fouls.
The Leopards fought to cut the Lehigh lead to as little as 12 again midway through the second frame on four straight points courtesy of reserve guard Elecia Kruise. Down 12, Lafayette had a chance to slice the deficit to nine or 10, but Kruise and Rojahn misfired on jump shots.
The Mountain Hawks distanced themselves again with 14-0 run that began with a Tenice Johnson bucket at the eight-minute mark that put them ahead 64-36.
In all, three Mountain Hawks finished in double-figures led by Tierney's 12 points and 13 rebounds. Ashley MacLelland led all Leopard scorers with eight points, and Doherty chipped in seven.
The Leopards return to action on Sunday Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. on the road against Bucknell.
