Jan. 11, 2009
After two months of non-League action, the first weekend of Patriot League women's basketball tipped off on Saturday. Three of the four victorious teams earned wins by at least 12 points.
Lehigh (12-4, 1-0 PL) added to its school-record 11 non-League wins with a 77-69 home win over American (10-6, 0-1). The Mountain Hawks closed the first half on a 10-4 to build an 11-point halftime lead. Lehigh added to its advantage with a 14-3 run to open the second half, giving the Mountain Hawks a commanding 48-26 edge. The Eagles closed the game on an 18-5 run, but they were unable to overcome the 22-point deficit. Erica Prosser led four Mountain Hawks in double-figures. The sophomore guard closed with 18 points. She also matched a career-high with eight assists. American sophomore Michelle Kirk scored a game-high 21 points and pulled down a game-best eight rebounds.
Army (10-5, 1-0) won its fifth straight game, as well as its fifth straight Patriot League opener, with a 63-51 win at Colgate (4-12, 0-1). Army scored 19 of the first 24 points of the second half, stretching what had been a two-point halftime lead into a 44-28 advantage seven minutes into the final frame. Senior guard Alex McGuire paced the Black Knights with a game-high 21 points, while sophomore forward Erin Anthony added her fourth consecutive double-double (12 points, 16 rebounds). Freshman Patricia Oakes notched her second career double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) to lead Colgate. Army scored 20 points off turnovers, compared to just eight by Colgate.
Preseason favorite Holy Cross (6-10, 1-0) held off Lafayette (6-10, 0-1) for a 60-45 win in Easton, Pa. Tied 4-4 in the first five minutes of the game, Holy Cross outscored the Leopards 22-8 in the final 15 minutes of the half. The Crusaders seized control over an 11-minute stretch in which Lafayette did not score a field goal. Lafayette chipped into the Holy Cross Lead in the first nine minutes after the break, going on a 17-8 run to get within five points of the Crusaders, 34-29. Holy Cross fought back to get ahead by 11-points. Three Crusaders scored in double-digits, led by Bethany O'Dell's 15 points. Lafayette sophomore LaKeisha Wright, who scored 10 of the Leopards' 12 first-half points, finished with 15 points.
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Defending Patriot League champion Bucknell (9-5, 1-0) claimed a 66-50 victory over Navy (7-9, 0-1) in Lewisburg, Pa. A 14-0 run midway through the first half gave the Bison a lead they never relinquished. Cosima Higham posted her third career double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead Bucknell. Navy was paced by Kristin Bowen, who tallied 11 points in just 14 minutes.
For full recaps from institution websites, click on the school name below.
Army 63, at Colgate 51
at Bucknell 66, Navy 50
Holy Cross 60, at Lafayette 45
at Lehigh 77, American 69
