Wilkes 71, Lebanon Valley 68

LVC Starters
Stabler, Ray, Kintzer, Kuffa, Mealey

Wilkes Starters
Kelley, Marino, Babcock, Smicherko, Shober

How It Happened
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley women's basketball team had their 2021 season come to a close in a MAC crossover game with Wilkes University on Thursday evening. LVC fell to Colonels 71-68 in a back-and-forth contest that saw 17 lead changes. LVC finishes the season at 3-8 while Wilkes wraps up the year at 3-7.

The first quarter set the tone for the game as the lead kept switching hands before Wilkes went on a mini run that saw them lead by seven at 15-8 with just over two minutes left in the opening frame. With just two seconds left on the clock, Kennedy Kuffa knocked down a three-pointer to pull LVC to within six at 19-13 in the fast-paced first ten minutes.

LVC came out in the second quarter scoring the first eight points to take a 21-19 lead over Wilkes. The teams would trade buckets down the stretch of the half and again a late-clock basket by LVC, this time a layup by Daelyn Stabler, would cut the Dutchmen deficit to just two points as they trailed 31-29 at the break.

The third quarter saw the two sides change leads six times and the entire period was played within three points. With LVC trailing by a pair late in the third, Allison Bimmer would knock down six consecutive free throws in the final 2:03 to give LVC a slim 48-46 advantage headed into the final quarter of the season.

The fourth quarter was high-scoring with the two teams combining for 45 points in the finale frame of each team's season. With the Dutchmen down 60-55, LVC rattled off eight straight points, six of them from Emily Mealy, including a three-ball just after the midway point of the quarter to give LVC the lead back. LVC led 63-60 before a Katelyn Kinczel three would tie the game up once again. With 1:31 left to play, Wilkes led by five after a Brianna Horton triple but LVC would answer with a three of their own, this one off the hands of Bimmer to put the score at 70-68 in favor of Wilkes with 1:09 to go. The Dutchmen were held scoreless in the final minute and change and would fall 71-68 in the season finale.

Inside The Numbers

• Emily Mealey led all scorers with 26 points while also grabbing 12 rebounds. Mealey finishes her illustrious Dutchmen career with 1,301 career points, good for third all time. She also pulled down 851 career rebounds.
• Daelyn Stabler added 16 points and also recorded nine rebounds for LVC.
• Allison Bimmer tallied a career-high 11 points and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
• Brenna Babcock paced the Colonel offense with 15 points.
• LVC held a 42-34 edge on the glass.
• Wilkes knocked down 11 three-pointers compared to just three by the Dutchmen.
• Wilkes shot 45.2% from the floor for the game while LVC finished at 40.3%
• The contest saw 17 lead changes and nine ties with no team ever holding a double-digit advantage.

Who's Next?
The Dutchmen have wrapped up their 2021 season and will be back on the hardwood in November for the 2021-22 campaign.

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