The Lehman College women’s basketball team (8-11 Overall, 6-2 CUNYAC) picked up their third consecutive victory (and third straight conference triumph) by defeating the Yellow Jackets of New York City College of Technology (3-15 Overall, 1-7 CUNYAC) by a score of 55-36 Wednesday evening at the Klitgord Gymnasium in Brooklyn, NY.
Leading the way for the Lightning in the victory was standout Leslie Mencia who posted yet another double-double, as she dropped in 17 points and snatched 16 rebounds. Mencia has now played in six games for Lehman College and she has posted double-doubles in four of them. In addition, Melissa St. Louis added 10 points while grabbing 12 rebounds, and Tiana Rosa connected on four of her seven shots from the field and recorded nine points while snatching seven caroms. Kelsey Ash also chipped in with eight points. Following the victory, head coach Eric Harrison gave his thoughts on the team’s recent surge.
“It was great for us to get another conference victory, and it looks like the team is really coming together and playing some of its best basketball as we approach the 2010 CUNYAC tournament,” Harrison said. “We are really starting to gel and we’re playing very collectively, and hopefully we can keep the momentum going into Saturday’s big game with the Bulldogs.”
The Lightning out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets by an impressive margin of 60-48, and Lehman College also dished 14 assists compared to four for New York City College of Technology. Despite the fact that the Lightning were only able to connect on 28 percent of their shots from the field, Lehman held the Yellow Jackets to a mere 18 percent conversion rate on their field goal attempts. The Lightning held a 28-11 halftime advantage and never looked back.
For New York City College of Technology in the loss, Erica Simon put forth a hearty effort as she dropped in 10 points while snatching 13 rebounds, and Tempestt Casey also added 10 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.
Lehman College will return to action on Saturday afternoon as the Lightning will battle the Bulldogs of Brooklyn College in a crucial CUNYAC contest at the APEX Center, with game-time scheduled for noon. The day will also serve as Alumni Day, with many Lightning greats such as Sally Nnamani, Desirae Ross, and current Associate Head Coach Ivelisse Rosario, as well as many more former women’s basketball standouts scheduled to play in the alumni contest which is scheduled to take please immediately following the women’s basketball game.