Box Score
The Lehman College women's basketball team (19-10 Overall, 10-3 CUNYAC) picked up an impressive victory in the quarterfinal round of the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament, defeating the Panthers of SUNY Old Westbury (18-10 Overall, 12-5 Skyline) by a score of 83-55 Wednesday at the APEX Center in the Bronx. The victory for the Lightning was the team's 11th triumph in the squad's last 13 games.
Leading the way in the victory for Lehman was the three-time CUNYAC Player of the Year Sally Nnamani, as the Warwick High School product netted a game-high 28 points (11-24 FG) to go along with 14 rebounds and four blocks. In addition, standout Whittney Barnes put forth a terrific effort with 13 points and nine rebounds, while junior point guard Tonisha Kirby added 13 points and eight boards. Senior Monique Sampson netted six points and snatched a game-high 15 rebounds, and Kelsey Ash recorded 11 points. Following the game, Head Coach Eric Harrison was pleased with his team's effort.
“Today we put together a nice collective effort, and everybody got involved for us,” Harrison said. “I liked our energy from the opening moments, and our intensity stayed consistent throughout. We'll hope to keep this going as we prepare for Farmingdale State in the semifinals on Saturday.”
Despite the loss for the Panthers, Courtney Milton led the way for her squads by posting team-highs of 13 points and 15 rebounds. Avery Josey added 11 points, six rebounds, and four steals, and Pamela Robinson and Samantha Johnson scored 10 points apiece.
The big difference in the game turned out to be the Lightning's ability to connect on shots from downtown. Lehman nailed 10 triples on the evening (10-25) while the Panthers came up empty from beyond the arc (0-11). Nnamani accounted for four of Lehman's three-point baskets, while Ash nailed three, and Kirby, Barbara Febus and Paulie Tuazon hit one apiece. The Lightning also out-rebounded SUNY Old Westbury 69-62 while also holding an 8-5 edge in shots-blocked.
With the victory, Lehman will return to action on Saturday to battle the No. 3 seeded Farmingdale State Rams who defeated the No. 6 seeded Bridges of Brooklyn College by a score of 74-70 earlier in the evening. Game-time is set for 2:00pm, and fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on the Lightning in the team's quest for its first-ever ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament title.
