The Dutchmen return to the Commonwealth Conference women's basketball playoffs for the fourth-straight year, and host Alvernia Wednesday at 6 p.m., marking the second-straight meeting of the two teams. Wednesday's game is part of a playoff doubleheader at LVC Gymnasium with the LVC men's team hosting Widener at 8 p.m.
Last year, LVC defeated Alvernia 87-77 in the semifinals to advance to the Commonwealth Conference Championship game. The Dutchmen then fell to Messiah in the title game, 60-55.
Lebanon Valley swept the season series from Alvernia this year, beginning with a 66-53 victory on Dec. 4. Renee Fritz was the star in both games, as she totaled 39 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. On Saturday, she scored a career-high 25 points in the 87-34 win and the Dutchmen held all Alvernia scorers to single digits for the first time this season.
Admission will be charged for all Commonwealth Conference playoff games. The cost for adults is $6, seniors is $4, non-LVC students is $2 and children under six will get in free of charge. All LVC students and staff will be free courtesy of LVC Student Government.
On the Radio
The game will be heard live in the lower Susquehanna Valley on WMSS 91.1 FM. John Wilsbach and Brian Keyser will handle the action. The game can also be heard online at www.wmssfm.com. Live stats of the game will be available on GoDutchmen.com.
2010-11 Playoffs
While #1 seed LVC entertains #4 Alvernia, #2 Messiah hosts #3 Widener. The Falcons and Pride split the season series. Widener posted an 83-77 win in overtime on Dec. 4, while Messiah claimed a 51-49 victory on Jan. 29. Alvernia claimed the #4 seed after securing the tiebreaker over Elizabethtown.
Last Year
The #1 seed, Lebanon Valley hosted Alvernia in a semifinal with the Dutchmen posting an 87-77 win.
Andrea Hoover recorded her first career double-double and
Suzie Noyes scored 22 points to push LVC to its third consecutive CC championship game. The Dutchmen moved on to face Messiah and came up short, 55-60, in the title contest. Hoover notched a career-high 26 points in the loss.
Scouting Lebanon Valley
The Dutchmen lead the CC in scoring defense (49.1), scoring margin (+20), field goal percentages (.457), field goal percentage defense (.326), 3-point field goal percentage (.355), and rebounding defense (32.4) … Lebanon Valley had a 15 game win streak that began with a 67-61 win over Elizabethtown on Dec. 1 and ended on Feb. 9 with a 55-59 loss to Messiah. It was the second longest win streak in program history, just short of 17 games set during the 2001-02 season … The Dutchmen have been ranked in the d3hoops.com Top 25 and USA TODAY/ESPN Division III Top 25 Coaches' Poll every week this season. Lebanon Valley was ranked #20 in the preseason d3hoops.com Poll and moved up as high as #11 this season, while ranked #22 in the USA TODAY/ESPN Division III Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll and reached a high of #9. Both rankings were the highest in program history … Lebanon Valley was ranked first in the initial NCAA regional rankings release of the season and remained atop the Mid-Atlantic region for the next two releases.
Scouting Alvernia
The Crusaders have lost two-straight games and four of their last five … Two players have double digit scoring averages, led by 14.1 from Angela Altemose and 10.6 by Allie Toczylowski, and both players lead the team in rebounding. Altemose has 241 total rebounds, while Toczyloswki has 239 boards … Alvernia is making its 21st-straight postseason appearance and second-straight in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs after joining last season.
The Dutchmen in the CC Playoffs
LVC is making its tenth appearance in the MAC or Commonwealth Conference playoffs ... LVC has a 4-9 all-time playoff record ... This is LVC's second-straight #1 seeding, and third overall ... LVC has never won the conference title, but has reached the final four times, in¬ 2001-02, 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10.
