LVC StartersCirucci, Rothert, Carper, Lantz, Umbrell
Stevenson StartersGuzek, Harmon, Kelly, bender, Tarbert
How It HappenedLebanon Valley snapped Stevenson's 19-game win streak and dealt the Mustangs their only Commonwealth Conference loss of the season, ending the regular season with a 68-64 win at Sorrentino Gymnasium.
The Dutchmen (17-8, 8-8 CC) clinched the CC's #4 playoff seed and will host Arcadia Monday at 7 p.m. in the play-in game for the right to play at #1 seed Stevenson on Wednesday in the semifinals. Albright hosts Messiah in the other Wednesday semi.
In a game of runs, LVC's defense did just enough to hold off Stevenson (21-3, 15-1 CC) in the second half after going up early, outrebounding the visitors 38-32 and generating 15 steals led by
Peyton Carper's five takeaways. The Dutchmen had an answer for every Mustang surge, and after Stevenson erased an eight-point second-half lead to tie with 2:30 to go, a three-point play by
Alyssa Cirucci took the lead back and free throws by
Alex Lehman and
Bridget Rothert in the final 1:12 secured the win.
Notables-
Taylor Umbrell played all 40 minutes led LVC scorers with 17 points, and grabbed five boards with two crucial late offensive rebounds in the final minute. Carper ended with 15 points, five steals, and four rebounds, while
Bridget Rothert had 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
- Stevenson's Sara Tarbert led all scorers with 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting.
- LVC's defense held the Mustangs to 33.3 percent shooting in the first half but the visitors bounced back to hit 60.9 percent of their shots after the break. LVC shot 41.5 percent for the game.
- The possession battle was fierce with LVC committing 24 turnovers to Stevenson's 25. The Dutchmen had 15 steals and Stevenson 13.
- Lebanon Valley split the season series with its upcoming playoff opponent, Arcadia, winning 71-62 at home on Jan. 3 and losing 61-51 on the road on Feb. 4.
Stat of the Game19 - straight games won by Stevenson dating back to Nov. 30 until their streak was snapped by LVC.
Next UpLVC hosts Arcadia Monday at 7 p.m. in the Commonwealth Conference play-in game, live on LVCtv.