Nov. 26, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leslie Mencia's 26 points led four Lehman players in double figures as the Lightning defeated D'Youville College 76-61 on Saturday afternoon to move on to the championship game of the Gallaudet University Holiday Tournament.

Lehman will face the winner of Gallaudet and Valley Forge Christian College on Sunday afternoon.

Also joining Mencia with double digit scoring outputs were Paula Robinson (pictured above; 19 points, 9-14 FG), Amanda De La Cruz(12 points, 5-15 FG) and Jaleesa Gordon (10 points, 4-7 FG).  In addition to her season-high scoring performance, Robinson was also exceptional with the ball as she handed out eight assists while committing only two turnovers.  For the game Lehman's defense forced D'Youville into 25 turnovers.

Having to travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the tourney, Lehman seemingly needed the opening 10 minutes of the game to find its sea legs as the Spartans built a 23-13 lead half way through.  The Lightning turned the tide, however, with a 21-9 run to close the half behind an offensive attack that featured six different players adding to the scoresheet.

With 4:29 remaining, Lehman took its first lead of the game at 27-26 on De La Cruz's jumper.  D'Youville's Shannon Doughterty answered right back only to have Mencia connect on a three-pointer to push Lehman back in front.  Dougherty's basket would prove to be the last time that the Spartans held a lead.

Following halftime the Lightning blew the doors off the game, using a 26-6 outburst spearheaded by 15 points - including three three-pointers - from Mencia to put away the Spartans.  Capping the game-deciding stretch was a three-pointer from Robinson that ballooned Lehman's lead to 60-38 with 10:57 showing on the clock.

Lehman improved to 2-3 with its victory.