Jan. 27, 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 Army basketball team snapped its 10-game losing streak to Lafayette on Saturday as the Black Knights escaped Kirby Sports Center with a 104-103 overtime victory.
Army (6-12, 1-4) went up by five points off a three-pointer by its sharpshooter Chris Spatola with less than a minute remaining but Tim Bieg was fouled on the Leopards' trip down the floor and was sent to the foul line. Bieg hit the first and missed the second free throw but a Reggie Guy rebound gave the Leopards another chance. Bieg ended up with the ball in his hands again, nailing a three-pointer to bring the game to 104-103 with 40 seconds remaining.
Spatola's younger brother, J.P., was fouled but missed his two free throws, and Tyson Whitfield grabbed the rebound giving Lafayette (7-11, 1-4) one last chance with :12 remaining. But a turnover by Whitfield on the other end of the floor sealed the Army win.
Army's Chris Spatola seemed as if he couldn't miss as the junior scored a career-high 43 points, including 21 from behind the arc, and went 10-for-10 from the free throw line. That total was the most points ever scored by one person in Kirby Sports Center. Junior Charles Woodruff scored 28 points while teammate Dax Pearson had 14 points and 16 rebounds. J.P. Spatola also added 14 points.
Bieg came up huge for the Lafayette all afternoon, nailing the three-pointer with two seconds remaining to force the game into the overtime period. He finished the contest with 21 points as he tied a career-high nine assists.
Two Leopards finished with double-doubles in the league contest as Frank Barr poured in 24 points and 12 rebounds and Whitfield finished with 21 points and 10 boards. Also scoring in double digits was freshman Ben Saxton.
Lafayette heads to Colgate on Jan. 31 for the first of three consecutive Patriot League games on the road. Tip-off is slated for 7:45 p.m. and will be preceded by the women's contest.
