Bronx, N.Y. – For the first time since 2017, the hosts Lehman College women's basketball team will compete in the finals of Coaches vs. Cancer tournament as it defeated Penn College of Technology, 69-59, in the semifinal round opener on Wednesday at The APEX Main Gym.  The Lightning improve to a 4-5 overall record, while the Wildcats fall to a 1-8 mark.

Lehman advances to the finals tomorrow (December 29^th) and will square off against William Paterson University, who knocked off Neumann University (61-53) in the other semifinal earlier in the day, at APEX with tip-off set for 2 pm ET.  Prior to the final, Neumann-Penn College will face off in the consolation game set for 12 pm ET.
 
Fans unable to make the trip to campus can also follow all of the action online via live stats and live stream of all women's tournament games – Live Stats, Live Stream

Admission to the event, on either day, at The APEX is $10, with all proceeds going to off set tournament expenses with the balance of the proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. Fans also will adhere to Covid-19 policies in place by Lehman and CUNYAC.

After trailing in the first quarter by a single point (19-18) on Wednesday, Lehman outscored Penn College, 15-12 in the second period, to take a 33-31 advantage into the intermission.

In the third quarter, the Lightning went on a 22 to 9 run to pull away from the Wildcats and eventually hold on for the victory.

Forward Brianna Barnes led the way for Lehman with 'double-double' as she scored 29 points with 11 rebounds as she was also two assists shy (eight) from 'triple-double.' Forward Barbara Valentin added 16 points, while teammate Kryshana Levy notched 14 points.