Box Score
DALLAS, Pa. - Senior Jenna Gambino sank two free throws with seven seconds left in the game to put LVC up by three points en route to its ninth straight win, a 53-50 victory over Misericordia University Saturday afternoon.
The Flying Dutchmen (9-0) extended their program-best start as they survived a second-half comeback attempt by the Cougars (4-3).
Lebanon Valley was led by a career-high 14 points from freshman Mindy Bennett, while freshman point guard Andrea Hoover dished out seven assists while scoring five points. Freshman Suzie Noyes added nine points and classmate Eryn Schultz had seven points and as many rebounds.
After a back-and-forth first half, LVC led 33-25 at the half - its largest lead of the game to that point - and extended that lead to 11 points early in the second half.
The Cougars held the LVC lead in single digits for most of the half until Lacey DeGraw made three of four free throw opportunities with between five and six minutes left to cut LVC's lead to 47-43. An Erika Morrison foul shot cut it to 47-44 with 4:45 to go.
The Dutchmen answered with junior Megan Bish's jumper before Amy Hughes was fouled by Hoover and made both of her free throws to cut the lead against to three with 3:26 remaining. Freshman Lori Lidlow answered with two to put the Dutchmen back up by five just seconds later.
Misericordia had another opportunity to close the gap when Noyes fouled out of the game at 2:21, but Hughes only made the front end of her two, leaving LVC with a four point lead. After missed shots by Bish and Gambino, Morrison canned a shot with 58 seconds left to cut LVC's lead to two, setting up a tense final minute.
With Lebanon Valley controlling possession, Schultz's shot was off the mark, and the Cougars came up with it and were fouled at the other end. Hughes again made only one of her foul shots, cutting LVC's lead to one with nine second left, and Schultz grabbed the rebound and outletted to Gambino, who was fouled with seven ticks remaining. The senior sank both of her foul shots, and Hughes' buzzer-beating three-point attempt missed.
LVC will take a week off for finals before returning to action on Dec. 17 at Franklin & Marshall at 4 p.m.
