DALLAS, Pa. ­­– The Lebanon Valley College women's basketball team received several offensive contributions, as four players scored in double figures during the program's 67-42 victory over Misericordia University on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the Anderson Sports-Health Center. Kate Fitzpatrick led the Flying Dutchmen with 16 points while Cristina Fernandez and Riley Hevelow both tallied 14.

The Cougars (8-12, 2-7 MAC Freedom) scored the first four points of the game, taking an early 4-0 lead with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter. The Dutchmen (12-8, 6-3 MAC Freedom) responded with seven consecutive points, claiming a 7-4 advantage with 5:16 left in the frame. The program got its offense rolling with a stretch that included a free throw by Brielle Reidinger, two layups by Fernandez, and a layup by Samya Santiague. Misericordia then countered with a three-pointer, tying the game at 7-7 with 4:53 to go.

Lebanon Valley answered right back with a 7-0 run, taking a 14-7 lead with 3:10 remaining in the first. The squad went ahead by eight points after a jumper by Hevelow, a jumper and a free throw by Fernandez, as well as a layup by Fitzpatrick. The Cougars then closed out the opening quarter with four straight points, narrowing the score to 14-11 following 10 minutes of play. 

Misericordia began the second quarter with a 4-2 stretch, trimming its deficit to 16-15 just 2:01 into the frame. The programs proceeded to battle defensively over the next 1:46, until the Cougars connected on a jumper to take a 17-16 advantage with 6:13 left. The Dutchmen responded with a free throw by Fernandez to even the score and later went ahead 20-17 on a three-pointer by Fitzpatrick with 4:20 to go. 

This was followed by a 6-5 stretch from Misericordia, making it a 25-23 contest with 3:01 remaining in the second frame. Lebanon Valley countered with four consecutive points, claiming a 29-23 lead with less than a minute to go in the first half. The program capped off the second quarter with a layup by Fernandez with 1:44 left and a jumper by Hevelow with 48 seconds on the clock. LVC took this six-point advantage into halftime. 

The Cougars began the third quarter on a 4-0 run, narrowing its deficit to 29-27 with 8:27 to go. The Flying Dutchmen followed this with a 4-2 stretch, extending their advantage to 33-29 with 7:32 remaining after successful jumpers by Hevelow and Fernandez. Misericordia then made a layup, before LVC delivered a dominant 19-2 run in the remaining 6:28 of the third. 

Lebanon Valley closed out the third quarter with a stretch that included 10 points by Reidinger, eight points by Hevelow, and a free throw by Santiague. Hevelow started the run by knocking down a three with 6:13 to play, and the sophomore capped off the frame with a three-pointer when there were just three seconds left. Reidinger also played a key role in this offensive effort by making four layups and a pair of free throws. The Flying Dutchmen took a 52-33 lead into the fourth.

LVC picked up right where it left off when the fourth quarter began, starting the frame with six consecutive points. Fitzpatrick connected on a pair of threes within the first two minutes, putting the Dutchmen ahead 58-33 with 8:00 remaining. Misericordia responded 27 seconds later with a three-pointer, but Lebanon Valley then went up 60-36 with 7:19 to go after a layup by Fernandez. 

The squads followed this by battling defensively for the next 3:14, until the Flying Dutchmen began a run of seven more points in a row. LVC claimed a 67-36 with 1:53 remaining in the contest after two successful free throws by Elise Balmer, a layup by Kailey Eckhart, and a three by Ashley Pleban. Ultimately, Lebanon Valley went on to secure the 67-42 win against Misericordia. 

Inside the Box Score

• Fitzpatrick registered game-highs with 16 points, four three-pointers, and three assists. The senior guard also tied for the game-high in made field goals, tallying six. 
• Hevelow recorded 14 points with a game-high nine rebounds while tying game-highs with six made field goals, two steals, and two blocks. The sophomore guard's rebound and blocks totals mark season-highs. Hevelow also made a pair of threes and dished out an assist during the game. 
• Fernandez netted 14 points with two rebounds and two assists. The junior guard also tied for the game-high in made field goals with six.
• Reidinger scored 11 points and had a game-high three converted free throws. The sophomore forward also recorded seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
• The Flying Dutchmen shot 55.3% from the field going 26-for-47. The program went 6-for-9 from the field in the third quarter while outscoring the Cougars 23 to 10. 
• LVC scored 28 points in the paint. 

Up Next 
Lebanon Valley will return to the court at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, as the program will travel to take on Delaware Valley University at James Work Gymnasium in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. 

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