Nov. 27, 2000
Box Score
Audio from Postgame Press Conference
- Lafayette Coach Fran O'Hanlon
- Senior Guard Tim Bieg
- Junior Guard Brian Burke
Archived Video
Albright Game (11/27/00)
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The final 81-60 score of the Lafayette men's basketball victory over Albright looks a bit more deceiving than the 21-point margin of victory was in reality at the Allan P. Kirby Sports Center on Monday night. The Leopards (2-2) did not have as easy a time putting away the Division III Lions as many in the home opening crowd had expected but the three-time defending Patriot League champions gradually increased a 10-point halftime lead to cruise to the final horn.
The Lions (1-1) jumped out to a 6-0 lead over the Leopards to start the game after a turnover and three missed three-point field goals by the Lafayette starters. The Leopards came back with a 15-2 run, started by a three-pointer by guard Tim Bieg, to go up 15-8 with 13:38 left in the half. The Lafayette lead grew to 26-13 over the next two minutes but with 5:28 before the break, Albright was able to cut the lead back down to five at 35-30 off a pair of free throws by freshman Jarrad Gruber.
Lafayette increased the lead to eight and then 10 points with 3:00 remaining in the half off another Bieg three and a layup by the senior guard. The Leopards managed to hold off the late first half Albright surges to take a 10-point lead into the locker room.
The Leopards continued to hold off Albright's attempts at the contest early in the second half as the Lions were able to cut the Leopard lead to five points off of a three-point play by Mark Moritz with 15:00 remaining. But that was as close as the Lions would get as Lafayette looked to Bieg and Brian Burke for back-to-back threes and proceeded to cruise to the final 21-point margin of victory.
Four-year starting point guard Bieg came through big in the game for Lafayette, netting a career-high 21 points and gathering up four steals. Providing a huge lift off the bench was shooting specialist Burke who went 5-for-5 from three-point land and finished the night with a career-high 17 points.
Tyson Whitfield, playing in his second game back from a pre-season ankle sprain, nailed three shots from behind the arc and finished the game with nine points and six rebounds. Lafayette center Frank Barr was held in check by the Lions' post players but managed four points and two blocks before getting into foul trouble.
The Lions had three players score in double digits as Terrence Skyrum netted 19, Terron Buchanon scored 13 and Gruber added 12.
Lafayette tips off again on Wednesday at home versus Columbia in the second game of a women's and men's basketball double-header.
