March 12, 2002

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Sophomore Ben Saxton and freshman Kenny Grant, both reserve guards, have decided to leave the Lafayette men's basketball program, as announced by Head Coach Fran O'Hanlon.

Saxton averaged 7.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 2001-02 while playing in an extremely deep Lafayette backcourt that included All-Patriot League shooting guard Brian Burke. The Pine Bush, N.Y. native averaged 17.8 minutes per game and started 12 contests. A double major in Economics and English, Saxton intends to further concentrate on academics at Lafayette.

Grant also saw significant playing time, averaging 15.2 minutes per game while starting 10 contests. He averaged 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per outing for the Leopards.

"In terms of student-athletes looking to leave, if they can find a better situation with a better school and better coaching staff, God bless them," said O'Hanlon. "When they come here, they know that they are going to be coached. They may not always like it, but there isn't a more caring staff than we have here."

Despite the losses of Saxton and Grant, the Lafayette backcourt will continue to be strong in the future. Sophomore shooting guard Justin DeBerry, the team's second leading scorer in 2001-02, returns along with starting point guard Andrew Pleick. Also coming back for the Leopards is key reserve guard Winston Davis who played in 27 games and started five. Sophomore forward Mike Farrell will also return to the starting lineup after averaging 10.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Lafayette is coming off a 2001-02 season that far exceeded Patriot League preseason predictions. The Leopards were picked to finish seventh out of eight teams in the Patriot League, but posted a 15-14 overall record and finished in third place just two games out of first place. The Leopards swept American, the top seed in the conference tournament, during the regular season and split their season series with Patriot League tournament champion Holy Cross.