BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton women's basketball team jumped out to a 47-31 halftime lead and held on down the stretch for a 71-63 victory over Lehigh Carbon Community College on Tuesday evening at the Arthur L. Scott Center. 

Eight first half 3-pointers helped propel the Spartans to their 16 point halftime lead, as Northampton finished 8 of 26 in the opening stanza from distance.

Kelsey Miller (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg (NJ)) led the Spartans with 19 points, while Briana Petersen (East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg North) had 16 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. 

Northampton out-rebounded the Cougars 45-37, including 13 offensive rebounds.  Montana Cassaro (Bangor, PA/Bangor) grabbed 11 boards and scored 12 points, while Jade Biviano (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua ) added 8 points and 8 rebounds. 

"Offensively, the first half may have been the best we played all year," remarked Head Coach Alyssa Bonenberger, "however we got a little complacent in the second half and began to play not to lose, rather than playing to win.  Overall, it's a good win for us as we continue to improve."

The win moves Northampton to 2-8 overall, 2-5 in Region XIX and 1-4 in the EPAC. 

Lehigh Carbon falls to 1-6 overall, 1-5 in the Region and 1-4 in conference play. 

The Spartans finish the semester on Thursday when they host the Hornets of Broome Community College (NY) at 5pm.