Jan. 21, 2006
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lehigh remained undefeated in Patriot League play with a 76-58 win at Lafayette on Saturday afternoon at Kirby Sports Center. The Leopards fell victim to a 66 percent shooting effort from the Mountain Hawks (12-8), whose second half run propelled the team to their fifth league victory.
Lafayette, meanwhile, fell to 8-10 overall and 2-3 in league play.
A long three-point jumper from freshman Andrew Brown allowed the Leopards to jump ahead 41-40 with 14:15 remaining in the contest. From there the Leopards went cold, while Lehigh scored 27 of ensuing 36 points to blow open a game that had been close up until that point. A layin from senior guard Joe Knight gave the Mountain Hawks a 67-50 advantage at the 4:14 mark.
Lafayette came out of the gate to score seven of the opening nine points, including a pair of triples from sophomore guard Paul Cummins. The first half never saw a deficit go beyond single digits, as the Leopards owned the largest lead of the half at 21-15 on a three-pointer from senior guard Pat Betley with 8:12 on the clock.
Lehigh took a 30-28 advantage into the intermission and came out of the break scoring five quick points in the first 1:35 to go ahead 38-28. The Leopards responded with a 13-4 burst that gave Lafayette its 41-40 lead.
The Leopards shot 38 percent (21-of-56) overall and 33 percent (9-of-27) from behind the arc. Lehigh converted 31 of its 47 attempts for 66 percent. Led by Jose Olivero's four triples, the Mountain Hawks shot 50 percent (9-of-18) from long range.
Senior forward Andrei Capusan poured in 16 points to lead the Leopards, while Brown added 15. Olivero exploded for 21 points to lead four Mountain Hawks in double figures. Kyle Neptune came away with 18.
A trip to West Point to take on Army awaits the Leopards, hoping to regroup before next Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. tip.
Game Notes:
-In a series that dates back to the 1901-02 season, Lafayette owns a 133-70 advantage all-time against the Mountain Hawks. Today marked the 203rd meeting between the rivals.
-Lehigh's victory is the first on College Hill since a 90-80 win on Jan. 10, 2001.
-Lafayette fell just short in the battle of the boards, as Lehigh pulled down 28 to Lafayette's 27. Sophomore Everest Schmidt hauled in six caroms to lead the 'Pards.
-Today's game was the third in five days for the Leopards, who welcome three days off before heading to Army (1/21).
