Dec. 10, 2004
Box Score
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (www.lafayette.edu) - Marcus Harley's step-back three-pointer following an offensive rebound capped a 19-3 Lafayette run with 52 seconds left, but the sophomore guard's effort at the tying bucket was just strong as Marist held on for an 83-79 win at the McCann Center on Friday night.
Marist led 78-60 with 5:40 remaining before Lafayette pressured the Red Foxes into misses on their final seven shots from the field. They were also just 3-of-8 from the foul line down the stretch before Will Whittington (game-high 27 points) made a pair with three seconds remaining to seal the game.
Will McClurkin missed a jumper with 27 seconds left and junior Andrei Capusan grabbed the last of his career-high 15 rebounds. Trailing 81-79, Harley ran the clock down to 12 seconds before driving to his right. The runner was strong off the glass, Marist pitched the ball ahead to Whittington and the ensuing free throws put the Red Foxes up by four.
A three by senior Sean Knitter gave Lafayette its last lead of the game, 55-54, with 12:27 remaining. Whittington made three of his six triples in Marist's game-deciding run that followed, but no points were bigger than four free throws with 9:46 left.
Leopard freshman Bilal Abdullah was called for a loose ball foul while competing for the basketball in the backcourt, which put Marist in the bonus. A technical foul was immediately whistled on the Lafayette bench as the coaching staff rose in protest. Whittington extended the advantage to 64-55, which fueled a 24-5 stretch until his final three created an 18-point lead, the largest of the game.
Marist opened the contest with an 11-0 run before Knitter and sophomore Jamaal Douglas both hit a three and a two to pull within 11-10. The Red Foxes led by 10 on four occasions but Lafayette closed the margin to 39-37 at the half.
A season-high five Leopards were in double figures, led by Knitter's 14. Capusan and Harley both scored 13 points, while Douglas and freshman Matt Betley netted 12 apiece.
Capusan (15) and Douglas (11) both set career-highs on the boards, as Lafayette outrebounded Marist 45-38.
Jared Jordan complemented Whittington's work with 11 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.
Lafayette will break for exams following Monday night's contest at Kirby Sports Center. The tip vs. Cal State Northridge on Dec. 13 is scheduled for 7 p.m.
