Dec. 1, 2005
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette erased an 18-point second-half deficit but could not close the deal, as Saint Peter's escaped with a 79-76 victory over the Leopards on Thursday night, snapping Lafayette's three-game win streak.
A jumper from junior Jamaal Hilliard tied the game, 76-76, with 45 seconds on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Raul Orta of St. Peter's hit a pair of free throws following a scramble for a loose ball, giving the Peacocks a 78-76 edge with under 10 seconds to play. With a chance to win the game, Lafayette's Matt Betley was whistled for a disputed player control foul on the inbounds pass that put St. Peter's Kevin Spann at the line. He hit 1-of-2, and a desperation three-quarter-court shot from junior Marcus Harley bounced off the backboard as time expired.
St. Peter's entered the break with a 43-38 advantage and used a 22-9 run to build its largest lead of the contest, 65-47, 7:02 into the second half. However, the Leopards responded, scoring 14 of the next 17 points to pull within seven, 68-61. A layin from Matt Betley capped the spurt with 8:25 on the clock.
The Leopards chiseled the Peacocks' lead down to four, 74-70, as freshman guard Andrew Brown found Abdullah underneath for the easy bucket at the 3:22 mark. The Leopards owned six of the next eight points, tying the game and drawing a boisterous crowd to its feet.
In the first half, the Peacocks rode the hot hand of two-time national scoring leader, Keydren Clark, who poured in 18 points before the break. Lafayette's defense held the senior to six second-half points, thanks in large part to a strong defensive effort from Hilliard.
Lafayette put four players in double-figures and shot 41 percent (25-of-60) from the field, while St. Peter's hit for 46 percent (26-of-57).
Bilal Abdullah led the Leopards with 14 points to go with a team-high seven boards and three assists. Matt Betley (13), Harley (13) and Hilliard (10) came off the bench and registered season-highs to score 36 of Lafayette's 76 points.
The loss evened Lafayette's record at 3-3, while St. Peter's improved to 1-4.
The Leopards continue their home swing when the team hosts Marist on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Game Notes:
-For the second straight game, senior co-captain Andrei Capusan went a perfect 4-for-4 from the field for eight points.
-Despite the loss, Lafayette still owns the all-time series vs. St. Peter's, 6-4, and has won three of the last five.
-Head coach Fran O'Hanlon's guard-oriented offense doubled St. Peter's in the assist column. The Leopards finished with an efficient 16 dishes to the Peacocks' eight.
-Lafayette out-scored St. Peter's 38-36 after the half.
