Jan. 17, 2007
| Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - Donald Brown scored 19 points, as Bucknell went 12-for-12 from the free throw line in the final 1:09 to preserve a 67-61 victory over Lafayette on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center. Andrew Brown led the Leopards with 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting, including 4-for-6 from the behind the arc.
The Leopards (7-12, 1-3) came ready to play, using their defensive pressure to jump out to a 10-1 lead going into the first media timeout. Lafayette maintained its lead until the final minute of the first half, when the Bison used a Justin Castleberry basket and a John Griffin three-pointer to cut the Lafayette lead to two (29-27) at the half.
Back-to-back Brown three-pointers opened the second half scoring, the latter coming on an off-balance shot from the top of the key to give Lafayette a 35-27 advantage with 18 minutes to play.
A 14-5 run by the Bison over the next six minutes gave Bucknell (9-8, 3-1) its first lead of the game, 41-40, with 11:48 remaining. Donald Brown pulled down an offensive rebound and converted on the putback to give Bucknell a 51-46 advantage which forced Lafayette head coach Fran O'Hanlon into a 30-second timeout.
Lafayette responded out of the timeout, using a Matt Betley three-pointer, coupled with a free throw and breakaway dunk from Ted Detmer, as the Leopards regained the lead 52-51 with 6:10 left in the game.
Abe Badmus's offensive rebound led to two Chris McNaughton free throws, as the Bison jumped on top (55-53) at the 2:57 mark. Betley responded with his own offensive rebound and putback to give the game its fourth tie at 55 with two and half minutes remaining.
On Bucknell's next offensive possession, Betley and Donald Brown went up for a rebound on a "50-50" ball and Betley was whistled for a foul. The play proved pivotal, as it handed Bucknell the momentum. From there, the Bison went 12-for-12 from the free throw line, including six from Griffin and four from Jason Vegotsky to seal the Bison six-point victory.
Betley (11 points) joined Andrew Brown (14) as the only Leopards scoring in double figures. For Bucknell, Vegotsky and Griffin scored 19 and 18 points, respectively.
The Bison outmuscled the Leopards in the rebounding department, holding a 39-23 advantage, including 16 on the offensive end. McNaughton nearly missed a double-double with nine points and 11 boards. Betley and Detmer had five caroms apiece.
Lafayette now turns its focus to archrival Lehigh on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. following the Lafayette vs. Lehigh women's game at Stabler Arena.
NOTES:
ON THE BLOCK: Ted Detmer blocked a career-high three shots in the game. He also added two steals.
FOULS...FOULS...FOULS.......: Lafayette was whistled for 22 fouls, resulting in 27 free throw attempts by the Bison. Bucknell was called for 15 fouls which sent Lafayette to the line 13 times.
