For starters, the Lehigh women's basketball team kicks off their home Patriot League schedule at Stabler when they take on Navy in a crucial game tonight.
The Lady Hawks return to Stabler to keep their 25 game home court winning streak alive after a rare loss: a heartbreaking 69-65 setback on the road against American. Junior G Erica Prosser (13 points, 10 assists), senior G Erica Smith (7 points, 11 boards) and junior F Emily Gratch (13 points, 12 boards) played their hearts out in a tough, hard-working effort, but American junior F Michele Kirk was able to carry the team on her back (with an amazing 31 points) for the win. While senior G Alex Ross struggled (2-13 from 3-point range), she did hit the tying shot to send the game to OT, but the Lady Eagles were able to outlast the Lady Hawks - despite the fact that they only went seven deep due to injuries. (More)
It won't get any easier for the Lady Hawks tonight. Aside from facing the "never say die", hard-working style that all the service academies share, they are fresh off a 30-point tromping over Bucknell 70-40. Lehigh also will be facing 6'3 senior C Cassie Consedine (11.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg) underneath. If I'm coach Troyan, I'd be preparing for a lot of time for 6'3 sophomore C Alexa Williams (5.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg) for - if no other reason - to cover her down low. That's not all Lehigh has to worry about: junior G Angela Myers (10.1 ppg, 3.5 apg) is a quality guard that offers a dangerous Navy team an inside-outside game. It will be crucial that Prosser, Ross and Smith play their usual high quality of defense in order to win this game.
The audio of this game will be available for free online through Yahoo! Broadcast, while if you have the Patriot League All-Access package through CBS College Sports (or Service Electric 2 in the Valley), you can also get video of the game as well. Jeff Tourial does the call for Lehigh Athletics and WLVR.
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Tomorrow, it's all about men's basketball. At 7:00 PM at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, MD, Lehigh will be taking on Navy on a national broadcast on CBS College Sports. CBS College Sports Network is available across the country through local cable operators and via satellite on DIRECTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 152. The TV call will be made by Bob Socci and John "The Last Amateurs
" Feinstein, while the radio call can be heard online through Yahoo! Broadcast starring Matt Kerr and Jeff Tourial. (Did Jeff get the game moved to Thursday so he could call both games? Only he knows for sure.)Men's hoops comes off one of their more complete efforts of the year: an impressive 78-67 victory over American at Stabler last Saturday. Four starters scored in double figures, led by senior F Zahir Carrington's double-double (18 points, 12 boards). Senior G Marquis Hall also had a fantastic game with 17 points, 5 boards and 6 assists, followed by the fab frosh: freshman G C.J. McCollum (10 points, 7 boards) and freshman F Gabe Knutson (10 points, 6 boards).
As ever, Navy won't be an easy out. Senior G Chris Harris (19.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg) is one of the best guards in the Patriot League, and will be a tough defensive assignment for Hall. The forontcourt will also pose a challenge as well, with sophomore F Jordan Sugars (15.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) establishing himself as the tough inside to Harris' outside game. Add in junior F Romeo Garcia (8.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and 6'10 junior C Jeremy Wilson (4.1 ppg, 1.9 ppg) and you have a board presence that Knutson and Carrignton might find challenging.
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Friday, it becomes all about wrestling. Friday night at 7:30 PM, Lehigh takes on West Virginia in their first home dual meet since November. This game will be broadcast on Service Electric 2 and simulcast on Yahoo! Broadcast. (It will also be rebroadcast later in the week on FCS College Sports.)
Lehigh just came through a great run in the Virginia Duals this weekend, where wins over UC Davis, Edinboro (PA) and a dramatic come-from-behind win vs. Oklahoma ended with a 30-6 drubbing at the hands of No. 4-ranked Oklahoma State in the finals. Despite the setback, the 18-16 win over No. 10 Oklahoma is something wrestling fans will be talking about for a long time. Down 16-0 after losing the first four bouts (one on a fall and another on a major decision), Lehigh would win the next six bouts to finally, after sophomore heavyweight Zach Rey's thrilling 3-2 victory, pull off the dramatic comeback. Sophomore 157 lb Sean Bilodeau started the rally, while senior 165 lb Matt Galante and freshman 174 lb Robert Hamlin kept the streak going, including Hamlin's upset over No. 8-ranked Jeff James. Wins by senior 184 lb David Craig and sophomore 197 lb Joe Kennedy set up Rey's decisive bout - and gave the Hawks a chance at the final.
Friday they'll face a West Virignia squad that lost 24-9 to Michigan State last weekend. There will be three bouts in particular to watch this Friday night: at 133 (No. 13-ranked senior 133 lb Matt Fisk vs. No. 17-ranked Colin Johnston), at 141 (No. 18-ranked senior 141 lb Seth Ciasulli vs. No. 11-ranked Brandon Rader) and at 184 (No. 15-ranked senior 184 lb David Craig vs. No. 18-ranked Matt Ryan).
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In case you were thinking about taking a breather on Saturday and Sunday, think again. On Saturday, the afternoon starts with wrestling (Lehigh vs. Navy, in Lehigh's first EIWA dual of the year, at 3:05 pm) and ends at 7:05 with women's basketball (Lehigh vs. Army at Stabler - hopefully with a home court winning streak to protect). Sunday, Lehigh men's basketball takes center stage again as the Hawks take on Army at 2:00 PM.
Hope you didn't have anything planned for the next five days.
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