Jan. 23, 2010
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EASTON, Pa. - The Leopards were looking for redemption as they squared off against Lehigh for the first time since falling short in last year's Patriot League title game. Unfortunately, redemption will have to wait at least one more game as Lafayette fell 66-51 to the Mountain Hawks.
After not seeing a single player reach double figures against Bucknell on Wednesday, LaKeisha Wright had 11 in the first half alone and finished with a game-high 15 points. Junior Elizabeth Virgin finished with 13 points, including a 7-of-8 performance at the free throw line.
Lafayette (4-15, 2-3) out-rebounded the Mountain Hawks 33-28, with Sarah McGorry and Virgin chipping in seven apiece.
Lehigh (17-3, 4-1) saw three players reach double figures, led by Courtney Dentler's 13.
The Mountain Hawks won the opening tip and took control early, jumping out an 8-2 lead. The Leopards responded by scoring six unanswered points, tying the game at eight-all on Wright's layup with 15:53 on the clock.
Lehigh went up by five (14-9) before two Alicia Manning free throws at 11:53 cut the lead to one (14-13).
That was the closest Lafayette got as the Mountain Hawks built a 20-13 advantage midway through the half. That margin increased to double figures (23-13) on Alex Ross's three-pointer at 7:58.
With 4:33 on the clock, the Leopards worked their way back within six (26-20) on Lauren Jackson's layup, but Lehigh closed out the half on an 8-2 run and held a 34-22 edge at the midway point of the game.
After four minutes of play in the second half, the Mountain Hawks' lead stood at 14, 40-26.
Jackson sank the team's first three-pointer to make it 46-31 with more than 12 minutes remaining. Virgin followed with a three-point play 30 seconds later to keep it an 18-point contest.
Lehigh maintained at least a 14-point lead for the next 11 minutes. Just when the game seemed out of reach, Jackson made it an 11-point game (60-49) with 1:33 remaining, but Lafayette did not pull any closer.
The Leopards travel to Army on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game.
Postgame Notes:
- Elizabeth Virgin had one block to move into a tie for ninth all-time on Lafayette's career block list with 30.
- The all-time series now stands at 40-35 in favor of the Leopards.
