March 11, 2009

Bethlehem, Pa.--For the second time in program history, the Lehigh women's basketball team is going dancing. The top-seeded Mountain Hawks (26-6) claimed their second Patriot League women's basketball championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament with a 64-56 win over rival Lafayette (10-22) in front of 2,339 fans at Stabler Arena on Wednesday. Lehigh finished the season with a perfect 17-0 record at home this season. The Mountain Hawks will find out their seeding and opponent during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday evening.

"I am just so excited for my seniors," said Lehigh head coach Sue Troyan. "I wanted so badly for them to be able to experience this feeling because they have meant so much to this program."

Alex Ross scored 20 of her game-high 21 points in the first half, helping Lehigh become the first top-seeded team to win the title since Army in 2006. Ross made six three-pointers, including three straight to help the Mountain Hawks build an early 29-16 advantage. Lehigh maintained it double-digit lead at halftime, going into the locker room with a 37-27 edge.

The Mountain Hawks extended their lead to 12 points early in the second half, but Lafayette pulled within one possession on three separate occasions. The Leopards held Lehigh scoreless for a six-minute stretch and pulled within one point with 3:22 left to play. Lafayette had a chance to take their first lead in over 30 minutes, but a turnover gave the ball back to the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh, which was 0-for-8 from the free throw line in the first half, made five free throws in the final 39 seconds to secure the victory.

"Once we pulled within one, I thought we were ok and we were going to come out of this with a win," said Lafayette head coach Tammy Smith. "We just had a couple of turnovers and couldn't make a big defensive stop. It was a great battle."

"I told Tammy that she coached a heck of a game," Troyan said. "Her team played their hearts out. She did a great job, and they competed so hard."

Lafayette was attempting to become the first No. 7 seed to win the Patriot League Tournament. The Leopards lost their final 10 regular season games before beating No. 2 American and No. 6 Navy to reach the championship tilt.

"I love every one of these girls," said Lafayette senior guard Jessica Spicer. "They really are like family. It just hurts that I won't be able to play with them again next year."

"I think you always want to leave a program better than you found it," said Lafayette senior forward Emily Garner. "After the way we ended the season, the five of us seniors looked at each other and said this isn't the way we want to end it. We played with our heads and our hearts together in this tournament."

Ross was the only Mountain Hawk to score in double-figures. She was named Patriot League Tournament MVP after averaging 17.7 points per game in three contests. Senior guard Tricia Smith notched 10 rebounds to help Lehigh out-rebound Lafayette by a 42-33 margin. Lafayette was paced by Garner, who closed her career with 15 points and six rebounds.

The Patriot League's postseason participants are now set. Lehigh will play in the NCAA Tournament. American, which finished second in the Patriot League standings, will compete in the WNIT for the second consecutive season.

Patriot League All-Tournament Team

Nalini Hawkins, Army

LaKeisha Wright, Lafayette

Emily Garner, Lafayette

Erica Prosser, Lehigh

Melissa Rich, Lehigh

Patriot League Tournament MVP

Alex Ross, Lehigh