The women’s basketball team traveled to Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday to take on the Mountain Hawks of Lehigh University. Even with a gallant second half effort, the Wildcats lost, 80-65.

A layup one minute in from senior Shannon Elliott gave the Wildcats the first points of the game. Lehigh answered right back with a lay-up of its own. Tied at four, Lehigh edged out another basket and held that lead for the rest of the game. It was a slow first-half for the ‘Cats, who shot only 25 precent.

Trailing at half-time, 36-21, the team rallied after a three-pointer from senior Tia Grant to open the second half. Another three-pointer from senior Maria Getty at 17:30 remaining cut the Lehigh lead to ten. Lehigh fought back and held a 21 point edge with a little over a minute remaining. ‘Nova made a quick surge with back-to-back threes from redshirt freshmen Emily Suhey and Megan Pearson to end the game in a 15 point deficit. The Wildcats’ shot only 28.9 percent behind the arc.

Redshirt freshman Laura Sweeney added 11 points and five rebounds, including two 3-pointers. Junior Amanda Swiezynski chipped in nine points and senior Tia Grant added tallied another eight. The Wildcat bench accounted for 34 of the team’s points. Senior Kyle Dougherty dished out five assists. Junior Heather Scanlon was a force in the paint with two blocked shots on top of her two rebounds. The team shot 100 percent of their free throws, going six for six at the line.

The team had difficulty penetrating the Lehigh defense. Lehigh out-rebounded the ‘Cats and totaled an additional 15 second-chance points. The Mountain Hawks were also hot behind the arc, shooting a season-high 50 percent. Lehigh had five players post double figures, including sophomore Emily Gratch and junior Erica Prosser who had 17 points apiece. Senior Tricia Smith secured 11 rebounds for the Mountain Hawks.

Saturday’s game puts the Wildcats at a 4-2 record.