ANNVILLE, Pa. – A second half push propelled Lebanon Valley past Misericordia by a 73-63 margin in the Flying Dutchmen's 2014-15 home opener at Sorrentino Gymnasium on Wednesday night, Nov. 19. 

Trailing 36-31, the Blue and White shot 47.2 percent from the field in the second half and outscored the Cougars 42-27 during the final 20 minutes en route to LVC head coach Amy Sokaitis' first victory in front of her hometown faithful.

Freshman Kaitlyn Van Tash racked up a team-high 14 points on 6-8 shooting.  Junior Bridget Rothert also netted 14 and added five rebounds and a game-best five assists.  Sophomore Lexie Lantz poured in 12 points to go along with her seven rebounds and junior Peyton Carper pulled-in a game high ten boards in addition to tallying eight. 

With the score tied at 10-10 early in the first half, the visitors used an 8-1 run capped by a Lena Williams free throw to create the game's first bit separation.

The Dutchmen cut the deficit to one point on three separate occasions when senior Rachel Kelly converted a layup at the 9:17 mark, when Rothert knocked down a jumper in the paint one possession later, and when Lantz laid one in at the 6:59 mark.

Misericordia put together a 12-8 run to end the half and took a 36-31 advantage into the break.  After halftime, Lebanon Valley turned up the intensity on the defensive end and forced a number of Cougar turnovers.  Sokaitis credited her team's offensive output in the second half to her players' improved defensive play immediately following the break.  

"In the second half we got into passing lanes a lot more and made them more uncomfortable," she said.  "And with that offensively, we were much more patient.  We got shots at the rim rather than just putting up threes.  We did a much better job."  

The home team tied the score at 43-43 when Lantz converted a pass from junior Taylor Umbrell into a layup with 13:51 left to play.  The Dutchmen regained the lead for the first time since the opening minutes when Lantz converted her second-straight layup off a steal by Umbrell and subsequent pass from Rothert on the team's next possession.

The Blue and White took their first double-digit lead of the night when junior Cara Breslin found Rothert for a layup in the paint to make it 57-46 LVC with 9:33 remaining.

The Cougars cut their deficit to five points on two separate occasions as time ticked away but Lebanon Valley had an answer each time.  Leading 61-55, the Dutchmen used a pair from the line from Van Tash, an Umbrell steal and coast-to-coast layup, and two more from Van Tash in the paint to up their advantage to ten with 3:18 left to play.

"We're kind of a by-committee offense," said Sokaitis about her team's all-around effort.  "We're going to go with the first good look from the right player in the right position."

The head coach was pleased with the play of Van Tash, especially her feel for the game so early into her collegiate career.  She added three boards and three assists to go along with her point total.  Junior point guard Alyssa Cirucci ran the show well with six points, three assists, and three steals.  Umbrell added a game-high five swipes.

The victory kept LVC undefeated for the young season at 3-0.  The Dutchmen are next in action this weekend when they take part in their second tip-off tournament in as many weeks.  After winning the Gwynedd Mercy Tip-Off Tournament last weekend, they'll play in the Hunter Hawks Tip-Off tourney this weekend in New York City.  Lebanon Valley takes on Eastern in their opener on Friday night.  Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.