Feb. 26, 2011
Box Score | Patriot League Tournament Ticket Info
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Swarming defense and a revitalized offense put the Lafayette women's basketball team within four points of host American, 23-19, with 4:29 to go in the first half. However, the host Eagles capped the frame on a 12-1 run and the Leopards' shooting woes return in the second half of an eventual 82-47 loss at Bender Arena.
With the loss, Lafayette caps its regular season at 11-18 overall and 4-10 in Patriot League play. American clinches a share of the regular season title with a 10-4 league tally and a 20-8 overall record.
Senior co-captains LaKeisha Wright and Elizabeth Virgin led the Leopards' offense with 11 points apiece. Wright, the sixth all-time leading scorer in Lafayette history, reached the 1,300-point mark for her career. She also had five rebounds, sharing a team best with junior Sarah McGorry. Sophomores Samantha Jordan and Ashley Springer each netted five points, McGorry, senior co-captain Lauren Jackson and junior Melissa Downey posted four points apiece. Freshman Madeline Fahan had two points and freshman Kristan Liddle had one to round out the Lafayette scoring.
The Leopards were outrebounded by a 42-26 count, as 11 offensive boards for American led to 14 second-chance points. Lafayette committed 15 turnovers to the Eagles' 13 miscues.
Senior Liz Leer had a game-high 21 points, leading three Eagles scoring in double figures. Stephanie Anya tallied 14 points and Sarah Kiely had 12 for American.
After the Eagles scored the first bucket of the game, a Virgin three-point play started a 7-0 run that staked the Leopards an early lead. Lafayette maintained the edge to a 13-12 score, at which point seven straight points for the home team gave them a lead that they would not relinquish. Lafayette fought to within four points at 23-19, but the Eagles closed half on a 12-1 run to enter the locker room with a 35-20 lead. American continued to pour it on after the break, leading by as many as 40 points in an 82-47 win.
The Leopards will not learn their tournament fate until after Lehigh hosts Holy Cross later tonight. All of the details for the upcoming Patriot League Tournament will be on GoLeopards.com as soon as they are available.
