UMBC

Bethlehem, PA – The Lehigh women’s basketball team fell behind early and could not recover, losing 71-57 to UMBC atStabler Arena. Head coach Sue Troyan remains tied with Muffet McGraw atop theall-time wins list in Lehigh women’s basketball history at 88. The loss dropped the Mountain Hawks to4-4 on the season, UMBC raised its record to 3-3.UMBC jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first five minutes of play. The Retrievers extended their lead to as many as 15.The Mountain Hawks did not quit, using a 15-5 run to close the margin to six, trailing 35-29 headinginto halftime. Jana Ransom led Lehigh’s efforts, scoring seven in the half.Not to be outdone, UMBC’s Matea Pender poured in 13 during the opening frame.The Retrievers built the lead back to double digits to start the second half, but a three point play by Anne Tierney cutthe deficit to five at 43-38 with 15:23 to play. But that would be as close asehigh would get. The Retrievers’ lead jumped as high as 18 points. Anne Tierney scored 11 of her Mountain Hawkbest 15 points in the second half. Tierney’s eight rebounds also ledLehigh. Ransom was the only other Mountain Hawk to reach double figures with10 points. Lehigh could not figure out the Retriever defense, committing29 turnovers. UMBC was hot from the field, shooting an even 50% for the game. JessieBrown was the leading scorer for the Retrieverswith a game-high 22 points, which tied her career high. Pender finished with 17 points and led UMBC with6 rebounds. Sheila Johnson chipped in with 12 points and six stealsfor the Retrievers.