Jan. 28, 2009

Box Score

Easton, Pa. - Rebounds told the story in Lafayette's 56-46 loss to Army on Wednesday night as the Black Knights held a 48-28 edge in boards and handed the Leopards just their second home loss of the season. Lafayette held a four-point edge at halftime but Army's 39 second-half points resulted in the 10-point loss.

The Leopards (8-12, 2-4) narrowly edged Army (12-8, 3-3) in field goal percentage and both teams shot under 70 percent from the free throw line, but the Black Knights dominated on the boards and scored 18 points off of Lafayette turnovers. Three Leopards reached double figures, led by Jessica Spicer's 13.

It took three minutes for the game's first basket to be scored when Megan Evans converted on a three-point play to give Army the early 3-0 lead. Emily Garner's second basket of the night kept the Leopards within one (7-6) and Spicer gave them their first lead (10-9) with a basket at the 10-minute mark.

Lafayette went on an 11-3 run to take a 21-12 advantage with three minutes to play. Nalini Hawkins ended Army's four-minute scoring drought with a three-pointer with 1:30 on the clock and scored the half's final basket, but the Leopards still led 21-17 at the midway point.

Seven unanswered points by the Black Knights tied the game at 26 with 13 minutes remaining. Alex McGuire's trey with 10:07 on the clock gave Army its first lead (29-28) since midway through the first half.

Unfortunately the Leopards could not pull any closer as the Black Knights upped their lead to double figures when McGuire's second three of the night made it 46-36. McGuire finished with a game-high 21 points. Two Hawkins free throws with 25 seconds on the clock made it 55-44 to seal the win.

The Leopards close out the first half of Patriot League play on Saturday when they host American at 1 p.m.

Postgame Notes:
- Senior Meaghan Malone had a career-high three steals as Lafayette matched its season high of 11.
- Lafayette held Army's Erin Anthony to five points, well below her season average of 10.8 ppg.