Dec. 29, 2008
Lehigh Christmas City Classic
Monday, Dec. 29 - Tuesday, Dec. 30
Location: Stabler Arena
Games: Non-Conference
La Salle Explorers (7-5, 0-0)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The La Salle Explorers enter the Lehigh Christmas City Classic riding on a three-game winning streak with victories over Lafayette, Loyola (MD) and Rider. Junior Morgan Robertson, who averaged 16.3 points and 7.7 rebounds during the 3-0 span, was recently tagged Atlantic 10 and Big 5 Player of the Week. In the 63-47 home win over Rider, senior Margaret Elderton scored a game-high 19 points and dished out three assists. Elderton went 7-for-11 from the field including a game-high three baskets from beyond the arc. Robertson was the only other Explorer to reach double figures, ending with 15 points and seven rebounds, and freshman Ashley Gale was two points shy of reaching double-digits, as she rounded out with eight points and five boards. Junior Jamie Walsh distributed a game-high five assists and freshman Jenna Gilbert pulled down a game-high eight rebounds in the victory.
Stat Line
Margaret Elderton: 11.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 32.0 MPG, 41.1 FG%, 44.1 3-PT%
Valparaiso Crusaders (4-4, 0-0)
Conference: Horizon League
After winning three of their first four games of the season, the Valparaiso Crusaders enter the Lehigh Christmas City Classic on a two-game losing skid. Valparaiso, who the Explorers play on the tournament's first day, has played three top 25 teams and an ACC competitor in the early part of the season. The Crusaders defeated Florida State on Nov. 29, 80-74, and then picked up another victory a little over a week later when they defeated #23/21 Purdue, 71-60. Following that victory, Valpo lost to #8/8 Notre Dame, 63-55, and then evened out at .500 when they fell to #22/- South Dakota State, 74-58. In the loss to South Dakota State, senior Launa Hochstetler scored a game-high 24 points, on 7-of-16 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists. Junior Lauren Kenney finished with 10 points and seven boards.
Stat Line
Agnieszka Kulaga: 17.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 36.9 MPG, 48.5 FG%, 38.2 3-PT%
North Florida Ospreys (2-7, 1-1)
Conference: Atlantic Sun
The North Florida Ospreys have now lost their last four games heading into the Lehigh Christmas City Classic. In their last contest, a 58-47 home loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, senior Jennifer Bowen and sophomore Juliemay Syquio both registered 10 points and two rebounds apiece while combining for eight assists. Junior Willonda Windham ended with eight points, on 3-of-6 shooting, and pulled down four boards. Despite the loss, North Florida outrebounded their opponent, 34-33, and forced 21 turnovers.
Stat Line
Jadhken Kerr: 8.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 27.2 MPG, 32.1 FG%, 34.9 3-PT%
Lehigh Mountain Hawks (8-3, 0-0)
Conference: Patriot League
The hosting Lehigh Mountain Hawks have won each of their last two contests heading into the first day of the Lehigh Christmas City Classic. Victories over NJIT and Binghamton put Lehigh five games over .500, giving them the best record of all four teams in the two-day tournament. After two strong performances in those two contests, Lehigh junior Alex Ross was honored as Patriot League Player of the Week. In two games, Ross averaged 24.5 points, on 60 percent shooting from the field and 65.2 percent from three-point range. Ross totaled 16 three-pointers during the two-game span and poured in a career-high 29 points against Binghamton. In addition to Ross's tribute, freshman Alexa Williams was crowned Rookie of the Week for the second time this season after averaging 11 points and 8.5 rebounds during the week.
Stat Line
Alex Ross: 14.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 27.6 MPG, 50.0 FG%, 49.4 3-PT%
