Box Score
ANNVILLE, Pa. - Lebanon Valley made a valiant second-half comeback attempt, but couldn't catch up to Widener University as they fell, 59-57, in a Commonwealth Conference game on Wednesday.
The Dutchmen (11-6, 4-2 CC) had a chance to tie or win the game at the buzzer, but
Andrea Hoover's bid from 10 feet went off the sideiron. The Pride (12-7, 3-3 CC) were led by Barbara Fleming's 22 points.
Megan Bish, making her first start of the year, scored 14 points to lead LVC, and Hoover had 12. LVC shot 8-for-12 for three, but was just 17-for-48 (35.4%) overall for the game.
Barbara Fleming led all scorers with 22 points. LVC's frontcourt trio of
Suzie Noyes,
Mindy Bennett, and Bish held Widener's 6-3 center Casey Pritz, who entered the game averaging eight points and seven rebounds per game, to no points, no rebounds, two turnovers and three fouls.
Poor shooting again plagued the Dutchmen, who, despite going a blistering 8-for-12 from three, shot just 35.4 percent overall to Widener's 42.9 percent.
LVC led for most of the first half before going ice cold, and a Widener run before the break shifted the game's momentum. After Bish sank a pair of free throws, Fleming canned a three and Becky Tyler and Katie Gallagher made consecutive layups to go up five before Lindsey Isler tacked on two more from the line as Widener held LVC scoreless over the final 3:41 of the half and without a field goal for the final 8:12.
Things didn't get better to start the second half, despite Hoover's early three-pointer, as Widener extended their lead to double digits. LVC clawed back in and tied the game on Noyes' trey with 7:12 to go, but Widener pulled away thanks to baskets by Gallagher and Beth Dessart Mager.
After Fleming made a foul shot with 1:10 to go to grab a six-point lead, Hoover drained a three-pointer, and LVC grabbed a turnover for Hoover to sink a layup at 58-57. Rayne Reber went to the line and made just one free throw, setting up a potential game-winning shot, but Hoover's shot went wide at the buzzer.
LVC will visit Lycoming on Saturday.
