NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Finding itself without senior playmaker Amanda De La Cruz for a third consecutive game on Saturday, the Lehman women's basketball team nonetheless overwhelmed a spirited but outclassed Medgar Evers bunch 81-29 to pull to within one game of .500 at 8-9 on the season.

Leslie Mencia scored a game-high 22 points and added 10 rebounds for the Lightning, who also got 17 points from Jaleesa Gordon and 16 points and seven assists from Paula Robinson.  Newcomer Jasmin Castro-Lopez added seven assists as she continues to round into form. 

Medgar was led by the do-it-all Chantal Biscette, who scored 21 points as the lone offensive threat for the Cougars.

The outcome of the game was never in doubt as the Lightning blitzed Medgar from the start, jumping out to a 12-0 lead before two free throws by Biscette put the Cougars on the board.

A layup by Jaleesa Gordon pushed the Lightning's advantage to 28-7 with 8:34 remaining, part of a 25-6 run to close the half.  After the first 20 minutes, the Lightning led comfortably 49-13.

Medgar would go a stretch of just over 14 minutes, from 3:10 remaining in the first half until 10:09 left in the second half, without scoring a basket.  By that point, the Lightning's lead had ballooned to 66-13.

The win gets the ship righted for Lehman after a CUNYAC setback to Baruch in its last game, while Medgar continues its trying season, dropping to 2-12.

Lehman continues on the CUNYAC trail for its next game as it contends with Brooklyn College on January 18 when the Lightning welcomes the Bulldogs to Borough of Manhattan Community College.