Posted: 02/12/2013 | Last updated: February 12, 2013 at 10:24 AM
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a tough loss to Holy Cross on Sunday, the Lehigh women’s basketball team will look to bounce back when it travels to American on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. tip with the Eagles. American took the first meeting in Bethlehem, but Lehigh will be looking to retaliate and end the Eagles’ four-game winning streak over the Mountain Hawks when the two face off in Washington, D.C.
Lehigh will hit the road for its first game away from Stabler Arena since January 26 after hosting a three-game homestand from January 30 - February 10. The Mountain Hawks went 0-3 on their home court over that span, but have had success on the road this season, posting a 5-4 record away from home.
Wednesday night’s game will be the 32nd meeting all-time between the two teams with American holding a 20-11 advantage. The Eagles have also won the last four over Lehigh, most recently a 62-56 victory in Bethlehem on January 16.
In the last meeting between the two schools, freshman Kerry Kinek tied her then career-high with 19 points and grabbed nine boards, but late runs by the Eagles sealed a 62-56 victory. Kinek was 5-of-6 from the field in the first half for 13 points to lead all scorers, but the Eagles limited her to 2-of-4 shooting in the second half. American put four players in double figures, led by Alexis Dobbs with 13.
Lehigh will be in search of its first road victory since January 19 (70-62 at Colgate) and to improve its road record to 6-4 on the season (4-9 at home). The Mountain Hawks will also be looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Eagles, a team Lehigh has not beaten since February 5, 2011 (57-46 in Washington, D.C.).
Kinek leads Lehigh, averaging 12.7 ppg and 14.8 ppg against Patriot League opponents. The 6-3 freshman dropped a career-high 22 against Holy Cross on Sunday and was announced as the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Week for the fourth time on Monday. Lehigh now ranks second in the Patriot League from the free throw line, collectively shooting 71.6 percent from the stripe. Sophomore Katie O’Reilly is fourth among Patriot League opponents, shooting 81.5 percent from the free throw line to lead the Mountain Hawks. O’Reilly is also averaging 8.4 ppg this season which is good for second on the team after turning in 11 points against Holy Cross on Sunday for her eighth double figure performance of the season.
American comes into Wednesday’s action winners of three of its last four, most recently a 69-44 victory at Colgate on Saturday. The Eagles are currently tied with Navy for the second spot in the Patriot League standings, holding a 6-2 record in league play. The two losses the Eagles have suffered this season came against Navy on January 23 (61-42) and to Lafayette on February 2 (49-47).
The Eagles feature two players that average double figures in Jen Dumiak and Alexis Dobbs. The two rank ninth and 10th in the Patriot League, respectively, in scoring as Dumiak averages a team-best 11.1 ppg while Dobbs turns in 10.9 per game. Dobbs also leads the Patriot League, averaging 2.1 steals per game and ranks sixth among Patriot League opponents, shooting 34.7 percent from beyond the arc.
As a team, American ranks in the top half of the Patriot League in scoring offense (58.0 ppg), scoring defense (57.9 ppg), free throw shooting (69.3 percent) and field goal percentage (38.6 percent). The weakness of the Eagles has been their rebounding, ranking last in the Patriot League in rebounding offense with 35.4 per game and a -2.3 in the rebounding margin.
After Wednesday’s game, Lehigh will return home to host Colgate on Saturday, February 16 for a 7 p.m. tip with the Raiders. The Mountain Hawks will be looking for the season sweep when they tip on what will be the Play 4 Kay game as all fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of education, support and prevention of female cancers.
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Date:
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February 13, 2013
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Opponent:
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American
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Tip-off:
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7:00 PM
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Arena/Capacity:
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Bender Arena, 3,044
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Location:
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Washington, D.C.
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Lehigh’s Record:
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10-13 overall, 2-6 Patriot League
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American’s Record:
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13-9 overall, 6-2 Patriot League
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Series:
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American leads, 20-11
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Radio:
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Live on WLVR 91.3 and Lehighsports.com with Matt Markus Pregame coverage gets underway at 6:45 PM
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Television:
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None
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Internet Video:
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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