Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. – Junior center Jennifer Northcott (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) posted 18 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots, leading Lebanon Valley to a 76-72 overtime victory over York (Pa.) College in the championship game of the first annual Rinso Marquette Women’s Basketball Invitational on Saturday afternoon at the LVC Gymnasium.

LVC, which also defeated York in the championship game of the Franklin & Marshall Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 23, won its third straight game and improved to 8-1. York slipped to 7-2.

Lebanon Valley junior forward Tamika Rogers (Baltimore, Md./Milford Academy) was named as the tournament MVP after scoring 19 points and pulling down nine rebounds in the championship game. She also had 14 points and 11 rebounds in the Valley’s 75-64 first-round victory over Mary Washington College on Friday.

Junior guard Erin Eaby (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) added 18 points and a game-high six steals against the Spartans and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Eaby also recorded 18 points, seven steals and six assists against Mary Washington.

Lebanon Valley led by 10 (59-49) with 4:05 left in regulation before York mounted a comeback. The Spartans put together an 11-1 run over the next 1:45 and pulled to within one (61-60) on a three-pointer by freshman guard Jessica Kemp (York, Pa./York Suburban) with 2:20 left.

LVC appeared to have the game in hand with 42 seconds left after freshman guard Allie Butler (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Valley a 65-60 lead. But York refused to die and a three-pointer by junior guard Heather Kessler (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg) made it 65-63 and set the stage for a last-second shot from sophomore guard Heidi Miller (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg). Miller nailed a shot just inside the three-point line from the right elbow as time expired to send the game to overtime.

In the extra stanza, York took a 72-71 lead when Kessler swished another three-pointer with 56 seconds left. But LVC outscored the Spartans 5-0 the rest of the way. Rogers converted a conventional three-point play with 34 seconds to go, and Northcott hit a pair of free throws with nine seconds left.

Lebanon Valley led by as much as 14 (32-18) in the first half following an 11-0 run, capped by a fastbreak layup by Rogers, and the Flying Dutchmen took a 39-30 lead into halftime intermission.

Kessler finished with a game-high 23 points, thanks in part to her 5-for-8 three-point shooting. Miller finished with 14 while senior guard Kirstin Brown (York, Pa./West York) and Kemp chipped in with 10 points apiece.

Junior guard Crystal Gibson contributed eight points and a game-high eight assists for LVC. Freshman forward Monica Johnson (Baltimore, Md./Randallstown) added 11 points and five rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.

In the consolation game, Lycoming College defeated Mary Washington 59-55.

Lycoming junior guard Mindy Culp (New Columbia, Pa./Milton) was also named to the All-Tournament Team, as was freshman guard Debbie Bruen (Centreville, Va./Paul VI) of Mary Washington. York’s representatives on the All-Tournament team were Kessler and senior forward Mandy Crabbs (Littlestown, Pa./Littlestown).

Lebanon Valley returns to action on Wednesday when it visits Marywood University at 6 p.m. in a non-conference game.

[Photo - Junior center Jennifer Northcott, who posted 18 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in LVC's 76-72 overtime win over York in the first annual Rinso Marquette Women's Basketball Invitational]

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