IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata women's basketball team put forth a gritty effort in the first half but fell to Lebanon Valley College, who are ranked 16th in the country, 69-48, in non-conference women's basketball action on Thursday night in Alumnae Hall.

The two teams traded the lead nine times during the first half as both teams led as many as four points. A three-pointer by Kelly Brown followed by her layup 40 seconds later ignited a four-point lead at the 6:00 minute mark. 

With less than two minutes remaining the Dutchmen tied the score, 23-all with back-to-back baskets but the Mighty Macs used a 6-2 run in the final 1:55 to hold a 29-25 lead at the intermission.
 
Lebanon Valley (11-2) opened the second half on a 5-0 run but Immaculata answered with four points of their own as the lead changed three times in the first four minutes of the half. At the 15:38 mark, the visitors went on a 16-3 run and propelled the team to a 13-point lead, 52-39. The Mighty Macs narrowed their deficit to 10 points on a three-pointer by Adriana Sciascia with less than eight minutes remaining but the Dutchmen put the game out of reach by netting 13 points, including 10-10 from the charity stripe.

Immaculata (6-6) was led by Leah Kuczynski's 16 points and five rebounds while Kelly Brown added 10 points and five boards. Bridget Welz totaled eight points in the loss including a team-best six rebounds and four steals.

Caitlin Bach, Renee Fritz, and Tierney Hiltz each totaled 17 points for the Dutchmen while Fritz also pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.

Immaculata returns to conference play on Saturday versus Cabrini. Tipoff between the Mighty Macs and the Cavaliers is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Alumnae Hall.