Jan. 10, 2001
Box Score
Audio from Postgame Press Conference
- Lafayette Coach Fran O'Hanlon
- Lafayette Co-Captain Tim Bieg
- Lafayette Co-Captain Tyson Whitfield
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette men's basketball team opened its Patriot League slate on Wednesday against Lehigh but could not scrap past the Mountain Hawks as the Leopards lost 90-80 on their home floor, ending the nation's seventh longest home winning streak at 17 games. The loss also snapped Lafayette's nine-game winning streak over Lehigh and marks the Mountain Hawks' first win on the Leopards' home floor since Feb. 15, 1995.
The three-time defending Patriot League champion Leopards fell behind 0-4 at the tip but took the lead at 7-6 before exchanging the advantage throughout the first half with Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks led 39-41 with 1:51 remaining before the break but a lay-up and a three-point basket by Lafayette freshman Ben Saxton over the next 45 seconds gave the Leopards a 47-43 lead that was cut to 47-45 before the half.
The Leopards (6-7, 0-1) jumped out on an 8-0 run to start the second half but Lehigh chipped at the deficit and took the lead for good at 54-53 off a foul shot by Robert Mbom. The Mountain Hawks were up by as many as 14 in the second half and outrebounded the Leopards 50-39 in the contest.
Tyson Whitfield led the Lafayette scoring attack, recording 24 points along with four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Fellow co-captain Tim Bieg scored 23 points, including 9-of-13 from the free throw line, for Lafayette (6-7, 0-1).
Lehigh had four players finish in double digits, led by Matt Crawford who had a double-double on the night with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Matt Logie added 15 points, Edil Lacayo had 12 and Alex Jensen netted 10 for the Mountain Hawks.
The Lehigh victory marks the first win over Lafayette for fifth-year head coach Sal Mentesana as the team improves to 7-7 overall and 1-0 in league play.
The Leopards remain at home for their next game, a Patriot League matchup against Bucknell on Saturday in the second game of a women and men's doubleheader. Tip-off of the men's game is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
