Dec. 6, 2010

Box Score

So far this season Lehman's Louvinia Hayes has garnered her fair share of attention for her outstanding play on the basketball court through the Lightning's first seven games.

Considering Hayes has averaged 20.1 points per game over that stretch, the attention has undoubtedly been warranted.

On Monday night, however, it was her equally talented teammate, Amanda De La Cruz, who stepped into the spotlight, as she led all scorers with 24 points in the Lightning's 75-59 win over host New Jersey City University that improved Lehman's record to 5-3 while sending the Gothic Knights to their fourth consecutive loss.

Scoring 13 of her 24 in the first half, De La Cruz was instrumental in the Lightning building a 30-22 lead entering the locker room.

Following two free throws by Paula Robinson that gave Lehman its first lead of the game at 15-14, De La Cruz stole the ball from NJCU's Olivia Obanye - one of 6 steals on the night for her – and converted the layup for the 17-14 lead. A minute and a half later with the Lightning up 19-15, De La Cruz knocked down a jumper to push the lead to 21-15. She would add a free throw and two more baskets to account for 7 of the Lightning's final 11 points of the half.

Nearly two minutes out of the halftime intermission, NJCU's Carolina Garcia hit a three-pointer to cut the Lightning lead to 34-27. Robinson then canned a jumper to put Lehman back up nine. Hayes, looking to shake off her subpar 1-for-8 shooting performance in the first half, knocked down two free throws that gave the Lightning its biggest lead of the game to that point, 38-27, while also apparently helping her find her shooting stroke. The 5-foot-7 senior caught fire to the tune of 20 second half points – 11 of the Lightning's 13 during one stretch – on 6-of-12 shooting as Lehman put the game away.

De La Cruz and Hayes were joined in double figures by the senior Robinson, who tallied 10 points to go along with 6 rebounds. Sophomore Alicia McDaniel had a strong game with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks in only 12 minutes of action.

The Lightning also continued to refine its pressure defense, forcing 31 Gothic Knight turnovers.

Lehman takes the rest of the week off before a steep test comes its way on Saturday when it welcomes in Division III's No.1 team, Amherst College, as part of the weekend's CUNY Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.