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TEMPE, Ariz – Lehigh had a steal and converted two free throws in the final 22 seconds on Sunday to beat Eastern Illinois, 72-69, in the consolation game of the Arizona State Tournament.
EIU dropped to 3-9 on the year and will host Saint Louis next Sunday at 2 p.m. in Lantz Arena. Lehigh improved to 8-1.
EIU shot the ball well for the entire game as they finished with 55 percent shooting from the floor hitting 28-of-51. It was second half free throw shooting that hurt the Panthers as they were 6-of-14.
Trailing 41-37 at the half EIU raced out with a 16-4 run to lead by nine points.
Sabina Oroszova and
Arnisha Thomas both had four points in the run as both seniors finished with more than 20 points in the game. Oroszova had 24 points, Thomas finished with 23.
Lehigh used a five point swing on a made 3-ponter by Sarah Williams and offensive put back by Kerry Kinek as they started a 17-2 run over their own. Bernadette Devaney dropped in a pair of 3-pointers off the bench to give the Mountain Hawks a six point lead.
EIU closed the gap to 64-63 with 4:05 to play on a Thomas jumper. EIU would keep it within four points until the final 22 seconds. The Panthers had the ball trailing by one point. Lexi Martins had a steal and then converted on both free throws as she finished with 17 points. EIU missed a final shot as time expired.
EIU shot 57 percent in the first half as Thomas had 14 points and Oroszova had 11. Lehigh built the lead with four 3-pointers off the bench by Elizabeth Jordan, one of four players in double figures for Lehigh. Kinek had ten and Williams ten.