Dec. 29, 2005

Final Stats

HANOVER, New Hampshire - The LMU women's basketball team secured a 68-58 victory over Lafayette in the first round of the Blue Sky Restaurant Group Tournament, hosted by Dartmouth College. Amanda Patton and Ashlee Dunlap finished with double digit scoring to lead the Lions to their fourth victory in the last five games. LMU will play host Dartmouth for the tournament championship tomorrow night at 7:00pm EST.

The game was close for most of the first half, but Amanda Patton's three-point shooting kept LMU (5-7) in the game. The Lions scored the last six points of the half to take a 36-27 lead into the break. Patton led all scorers with 11 points in the first half, including three three-pointers. The Lions shot 42.9% from the field, and outrebounded Lafayette 20-17. Kara Stetler led the Jaguars with eight points.

The Lions opened the second half well, extending their lead to 48-34 on a steal and layup by Cassady Moore. However, Lafayette (4-6) would respond with a 9-0 run over the next four minutes. LMU's defense then took over, not allowing a Jaguar point for over three minutes. A pair of free throws by Amanda DeCoud gave LMU another double digit lead, 53-43 at 9:17.

Lafayette would make the game close late in the second half, cutting the LMU lead to four points with 1:15 remaining, but the Lions would make their free throws and pull out the 10 point victory, 68-58.

Patton finished with 14 points, and Dunlap added 12. Jevay Grooms was one point away from double digits, finishing with nine points. Valerie Ogoke led the Lions in rebounding with seven boards and added eight points. Lafayette outrebounded LMU, 34-33. Four other Lions finished with four rebounds. DeCoud dished out five assists and added two steals. Patton matched her career high with three steals.

The Lions shot well from the field, making 44% of their shots. Lafayette shot 48% in the second half and finished with a 43.4% field goal percentage. Brittany Purr led Lafayette with 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting.

LMU played this game without head coach Julie Wilhoit. Wilhoit stayed in Los Angeles for health reasons, but medical tests have come back with negative results and she plans to rejoin the team when they return to California. Assistant Coach Lynn Flanagan guided the Lions to the victory tonight.

The Lions will play in the championship game on Friday night, taking on Dartmouth, a 71-55 winner over Akron in the other first round game. The Lions will play at 7:00pm EST, and the consolation game will start at 5:00pm EST.

- GO LIONS! -