Jan. 18, 2001

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - USATODAY.com sports writer Jess Strelitz takes an up-close look at Brian Burke's battles off the court, struggles that have no doubt led to the type of player he is on the court.

Brian Burke can't be superstitious. At 20 years old, he's already used up a pair of lives and he still continues to wear the No. 13 on his jersey.

Last December 11, Lafayette College's lanky guard was putting on a grand show. He had scored a career-high 24 points off the bench, including five threes, against a surging Fordham squad. He was leading the Patriot League with 5.4 assists per game, and ranked amongst the best in the nation when the 95% free-throw shooter stepped to the line.

Then he couldn't breathe.

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