Feb. 20, 2002
Audio From Post-Game Press Conference:
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Behind a 43-point effort from senior co-captain Brian Burke, the Lafayette men's basketball team battled past archrival Lehigh, 98-93, on Wednesday at Kirby Sports Center.
Burke led Lafayette with a career-high 43 points on 16-for-22 shooting from the floor including 7-for-11 from three-point land and 4-of-4 from the line. Burke's effort was the ninth-highest scoring output in the nation this season. His 43 points tied the Kirby Sports Center individual scoring record and is the most points ever scored by a Lafayette player in Kirby. Todd Tripucka held the previous record when he scored 42 on Dec. 3, 1975 vs. St. Joseph's.
Lehigh (4-22, 1-12) used 59 percent shooting from the floor to build to a 20-point lead (43-23) in the first half on a Bobby Mbom layup at 5:58. The Mountain Hawks led by double digits for most of the first half until Lafayette's Mike Farrell made a layup with 29 seconds left for an eight-point deficit (51-43) heading into halftime.
Lafayette (14-12, 8-5) pulled within five (53-48) on a Burke three-pointer at 19:14 and again on a Winston Davis trifecta at 16:13. Lehigh answered to go on a 7-0 run for a 12-point lead (65-53) on a Zlatko Savovic layup at 13:56.
The Leopards went to work on the deficit and eventually tied the game at 77-77 on a Burke three-pointer. Burke scored nine points under the four-minute mark on 3-of-3 shooting to seal the 98-93 win.
Lafayette shot 55 percent from the floor compared to Lehigh's 52 percent. Lehigh won the fight on the boards, 37-30.
Farrell reached double figures for the 13th time this season with 15 points while pulling in nine rebounds. Reggie Guy chipped in 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting, all field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc.
Matt Logie led four Lehigh players in double-digits with 26 points followed by Alan Goff (21) and Scott Taylor and Mbom with 12 points apiece.
Lafayette returns to action on Sunday at Colgate. Tip-off for the Patriot League Television Network game of the week is scheduled for 4 p.m.
