Photo courtesy of Athletic Communications
Offense Back on Track
It’s been a roller coaster ride for the Lafayette women’s basketball team this season.
After starting out 8-2, Lafayette lost its next six contests. Now 4-5 in league play and winners of four of its past six games, the Leopards (10-10) seem poised to make a late-season run down the stretch of their season.
Throughout the midway skid, the problem was consistent: scoring. Since that point, the Leopards have played better and with that has come a much more efficient offensive team.
“We offensively rebounded the ball better and weren’t turning it over,” Head Coach Dianne Nolan said. “We started understanding each other’s roles on the offensive end.”
The team is averaging 70.2 points per game in its last six games and averaged just over 57 points per game in the six losses prior. The Leopards scored 90 in their victory over Colgate on Wednesday night in which they were down ten in the first half.
Dominating Win Over Lehigh
Lafayette decimated archrival Lehigh on Saturday in the Kirby Sports Center. The resounding 73-51 win was highlighted by a first half in which the team outscored Lehigh by 21 points.
Every player on the team was able to get into the game and help contribute in the team’s biggest win of the season so far.
“Everyone contributed and meshed, we played well throughout the game,” Nolan added. “People came up to me and told me it was the best game they had seen the team play at Kirby.”
Lafayette grabbed a season high 53 rebounds, led by senior captain Maddie Fahan’s nine.
Homan Shines
One thing that has been consistent throughout the entire season has been the stellar play of Emily Homan ‘15. The star center won Patriot League Player of the Week for the second time in games against Holy Cross and Lehigh.
Homan scored a career-high 32 points on 15 of 21 shooting in a loss to Holy Cross. She followed that up with a 21-point performance in the blowout win against Lehigh.
Nolan credits her teammates for getting Homan the ball in good position.
“Our guards are doing a far better job of getting her the ball in good position,” Nolan said. “The perimeter players have stepped up their games which creates one-on-ones. Emily can score on anyone in that matchup.”
Homan continued her stellar play with another outstanding performance in a win over Colgate. Homan finished with a double-double at 26 points and 15 rebounds.
Pivotal Stretch Ahead
Behind Navy’s 8-0 record in the Patriot League, each team is separated by just a few games. This scenario makes Lafayette’s final nine games crucial for postseason success.
“Every Saturday the leaderboard changes,” Nolan said. “Each game changes everything. They have the importance of a championship game”
Nolan hopes that a win over Lehigh can propel the team in the right direction. The team plays host in five of the last nine games, looking to improve on a 4-3 record at Kirby.
Lafayette will travel to Annapolis to take on first place Navy on Saturday at 7 p.m.
