Feb. 11, 2001

Box Score

Audio from Postgame Press Conference

• Lafayette Coach Fran O'Hanlon
• Lafayette Co-Captain Tyson Whitfield
• Lafayette Guard Brian Burke '02
• Lafayette Forward Rob Worthington '02

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Junior Brian Burke returned to the court in a Lafayette uniform and made his return memorable by pouring in 23 points in front of the home crowd as Lafayette defeated Navy, 87-78, on Sunday at Kirby Sports Center.

Burke dressed for the first time since suffering a punctured lung in the Leopards' game at Fordham on Dec. 11 where he also scored a career-high 24 points. Burke's return, however, was bittersweet for the squad as starting point guard Tim Bieg went out early in the first half with a seriously sprained ligament in his left knee and did not return to the contest.

Lafayette (9-13, 3-6 PL) upset Navy (14-9, 6-2 PL) at Kirby after falling to the Mids on Jan. 17 in Annapolis. The Leopards had 12 fast break points in the Patriot League matchup while Navy couldn't manage to score on any of its fast break opportunities.

The Mids, however, outrebounded Lafayette 45-20 and trailed by only four at the half before going down by as many as 16 in the second period.

Burke was the game's leading scorer with 23 points, including 11-of-12 from the free throw line and 5-of-6 from the floor. Frank Barr and Tyson Whitfield also scored in double figures with 15 points apiece in the Leopards' win.

Chris Williams led the Navy attack, scoring 22 points while teammates Jehiel Lewis and Kyle Barker each finished with 12 points. Francis Ebong also had a game-high 10 rebounds in the Mids' second league loss of the season.

The Leopards travel to Albany on Wednesday for a non-conference contest against the Great Danes at 7:30 p.m.