ANNVILLE - One could say these Dutchmen are learning 'on the Fly'.

 And it's grounded role models who are doing the tutoring.

 On Wednesday at LVC Gymnasium, a uniquely-seasoned Lebanon Valley College women's basketball team won its 11th straight game, 66-54 over Lycoming. Employing a crisp and lethal transition game, the Flying Dutchmen pieced together a late first-half burst to open a 39-26 locker room lead.

 The triumph pushed the 20th-ranked Flying Dutchmen to 19-1 on the campaign, and at 9-0, kept them alone in first place in the Commonwealth Conference. Lycoming slipped to 6-14 on the season and 3-6 in the conference.

 Given that it went 17-9 a year ago, the fact that Lebanon Valley has won 19 of its first 20 games is not all that surprising. What is puzzling is the personnel with which The Valley has gotten it done - LVC dresses no seniors, eight freshmen and solid junior leaders Andrea Hoover, Eryn Schultz and Suzie Noyes.

 So how many 19-1 college basketball teams in the country have eight freshmen on their rosters?

 "I'm in my own little world here. If there's others out there, I don't know," said Lebanon Valley head coach Todd Goclowski. "The answer is yes, there has been some carry-over from last year. But not in the way you may think. We're trying to build a basketball culture. That's carried over. Our culture is getting better. And we've been fortunate to win some games.

 "We do have great leadership," Goclowski continued. "They follow the direction of the coaching staff. And they'll create their own path when necessary. But I think the most important thing they've created is an atmosphere of inclusion."

 On this particular evening, Hoover led Lebanon Valley with 14 points, on eight-for-eight charity tossing. Noyes contributed 11 to the Flying Duthcmen's balanced scoring attack.

 LVC outrebounded the Warriors 42-31 and held them to 38 percent shooting from the floor.

 "I like how we're responding to being ranked," said Goclowski. "What I've seen is a maturing. We're coming along slowly.

 "The maturing sign for us is we're able to hold leads when we're not at our best," Goclowski continued. "We're not letting a lead slip away, which is a good sign."
 Nursing a 25-21 edge, the Flying Dutchmen got a couple of jumpers from Hoover and a lay-in by Noyes to open a 10-point bulge. And when Renee Fritz converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 2:13 to go in the half, Lebanon Valley was up 36-24.

 "It's important to come out with good effort," said Goclowski. "We've been doing that. And hopefully that gets us a lead. And if it does, that gives us flexibility with our game plan.

 "Defense is our primary emphasis as we come down the strech," added Goclowski. "We need to slow other offenses down. All elements of playing defense are stressed, because you win big games by getting big stops."

 Lycoming never seriously threatened LVC's lead in the second half, pulling to within only seven points on two ocassions.

 "We played well enough to win," said Goclowski. "I have a great deal of respect for Lycoming. They always play us tough. Yes, we played well, and it was well enough to win."

LYCOMING (54)

 Rebecca Spencer 1 0-0 2, Kaitly Ober 6 4-4 16, Jessica Zerbee 3 0-1 8, Allison Mock 2 0-0 6, Gina Manbeck1 0-0 3, Rachael Scheller 1 0-0 3, Alicia Engler 3 1-1 8, Leeann Randall 0 0-0 0, Renee Freeden 1 0-0 2, Erin Connaghan 1 0-0 2, Rebecca Leid 2 0-0 4, Amanda Hart 0 0-0 0, Meagan Pittius 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 5-6 54

LEBANON VALLEY (66)

 Eryn Schultz 0 3-4 3, Sarah Colton 2 0-2 4, Andrea Hoover 3 8-8 14, Suzie Noyes 5 0-0 11, Caitlin Murphy 1 0-0 3, Liz Borgia 4 1-4 9, Tierney Hitz 2 3-4 7, Nies 0 0-0 0, Amanda Donia 3 0-0 6, Renee Fritz 4 1-1 9. Totals: 24 16-23 66

 Halftime score: Lebanon Valley 39, Lycoming 26.

 Three-point field goals: L - Zerbee 2, Mock 2, Manbeck, Scheller, Engler. LVC - Noyes, Murphy.

 Fouled out: None.