GRANTHAM, Pa. – A strong defensive effort pushed #17/#14 Lebanon Valley women's basketball to a 46-32 win over Messiah Wednesday evening. The team combined to limit the Falcons to its fewest points scored against the Dutchmen since 1974-75. 

The victory extended the Dutchmen's win streak to 11 straight games and secured the team's lock on first place in the Commonwealth Conference. 

Lebanon Valley (16-1, 6-0 CC) maintained the lead for the entire game, scoring 14 points off turnovers and 20 in the paint. Seniors Andrea Hoover and Suzie Noyes led the squad with 10 points each, while Renee Fritz and Tierney Hiltz added six points each. Hoover also tallied a team-best six assists and four steals. 

Seven of the 10 players that saw action posted two or more rebounds in the game, led by seven from Noyes. Hiltz grabbed six boards and Caitlin Murphy tallied five rebounds. 

The first half started slowly for both squads, and LVC struck first at 17:28 when Hoover drew a foul while throwing up a shot that banked in, making the free throw shot to complete the three point play. The Dutchmen continued, scoring five more points to lead by eight. 

Messiah broke through at 13:21 after a layup by Michele Schleich and the Falcons scored seven of the next 11 points to come within three. Lebanon Valley closed out the half with 12 points and held Messiah to a jumper for a 24-11 lead at intermission. 

Hoover and Hiltz combined to lead the team in the first half, scoring six points each. Hiltz also fueled the rebounding effort with five, while Noyes added three. 

Both teams picked up the scoring in the second half with LVC notching 22 points to Messiah's 21 points. The Falcons made four 3-pointers in the final frame, while the Dutchmen tallied three, including two from Noyes. 

LVC opened with two baskets and hit a 19 point lead at 8:45 after a 3-pointer from Noyes. The Dutchmen again led by 19 at 6:10 and reached a game-high 20 point advantage at 4:56 with a layup by Hoover. Messiah notched nine points to close out the game, while holding LVC to a 3-pointer from Lauren Ruhl. 

After her 10 point effort against the Falcons, Hoover sits at 995 career points. She is set to become the program's ninth player to reach the 1,000 point plateau and the second this season as classmate Noyes hit the mark on Dec. 30, 2010. 

The Dutchmen host Albright Saturday at 1 p.m. and celebrate Take a Kid to the Game Day.