Highlights (YouTube)
BALTIMORE – Lehigh's Cameryn Benz sank a game-winning shot from just inside the free throw line with 1.5 seconds remaining in regulation, sending Loyola University Maryland to a tough 55-53 defeat at Reitz Arena on Sunday.
Laryn Edwards led the Greyhounds (3-10, 0-2 Patriot League) with 16 points while playing the entire 40 minutes, as she finished one point shy of her career high.
Emily McAteer added 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while
Stephanie Karcz chipped in six points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals.
Loyola, which was limited to eight healthy players for the contest, stayed right with a Mountain Hawk squad that used a 14-player rotation, with the teams combining for 11 ties and seven lead changes on the afternoon. Camryn Buhr paced Lehigh (10-3, 2-0) with 15 points and four assists, while Benz supplied 10 points and nine boards.
Edwards, who became the first Greyhound to play all 40 minutes this season, went 5 for 11 from the field and 6 for 7 from the free throw line. The last of those free throws put Loyola up by a 45-43 margin with 7:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Lehigh followed with an 8-0 run over the next 5+ minutes. A McAteer 3-pointer with 2:34 left stopped the bleeding and reduced the visitors' lead to 51-48, and McAteer drilled another 3-pointer with 1:05 on the clock to level the score at 51 apiece.
The teams traded baskets in the final minute prior to the game-winner, with Benz hitting a layup with 31 seconds left and Karcz responding with a layup on the other end nine seconds later. Loyola was unable to get off a final shot after Benz's last-second jumper.
McAteer, who poured in a season-high 18 points in Thursday's defeat to Holy Cross, finished one rebound shy of her first double-double. Edwards reached double figures for the first time since Nov. 20 against Howard.
Karcz, the Division I leader in steals per game, saw a 10-game run of recording 6+ thefts come to an end. She still managed to lead the team in both rebounds and assists despite being limited to 28 minutes due to foul trouble.
The Greyhounds wrap up a five-game homestand on Wednesday, hosting Colgate on Field Trip Day at 11:30 a.m. Free admission will be offered for all fans in attendance.
