Feb. 27, 2000

Box Score

LEWISBURG, PA - Lafayette captured back-to-back-to-back regular season championships with a 74-59 win over Bucknell in Lewisburgh, PA today.

In the beginning of the first half, the teams battled back-and-forth, with neither team holding a lead of more than a bucket. That changed when Brian Burke hit a three at 6:31 to give the Leopards a 22-18 lead. Lafayette seized the momentum for the remainder of the half, rattling off a 17-5 run to close the session with a 39-23 lead. Brian Ehlers hit for six of his 11 first half points, and Tyson Whitfield five of his 10 opening stanza points to give Lafayette the 16 point bulge heading to the locker room. The Leopards shot 46 percent from the floor in the first half compared to Bucknell's 30 percent effort

It was a 20-point margin for much of the second half with Lafayette in control, but as it did in the first meeting of the season, Bucknell initiated a late rally to cut Lafayette's lead to 68-57 at 1:22 on a three-pointer by Valter Karavanic. Lafayette regained its composure and sank six free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Whitfield led the way for the Leopards, scoring 17 points, and Ehlers hit for 14, followed by Tim Bieg's 13 points. Bucknell was led by Karavanic's 11 points and Sean Asbury with 10.

Lafayette improves to 21-6 overall and 11-1 in the Patriot League in a tie for the Patriot League Regular Season Championship with Navy. The Leopards will most likely open the Patriot League Tournament against Army on Saturday.