Jan. 24, 2007

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EASTON, Pa. - Junior Paul Cummins used a career-high 22 points to spark Lafayette to a crucial 76-68 victory over Army on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center. Cummins finished the night 8-for-13 from the field, including a scorching 6-for-10 effort from behind the three-point line. The victory was win No. 170 for Lafayette head coach Fran O'Hanlon, tying him with George Davidson for the most career coaching wins at Lafayette.

The Leopards (8-13, 2-4) snapped their three-game losing streak and in the process brought Army's three-game conference winning streak to an end.

Lafayette jumped out to an early 16-7 lead, culminated by a Cummins offensive rebound and putback at 14:44. After a Matt Bell three-pointer cut the Lafayette lead to one, a quick Leopard 6-0 run stretched the lead back to seven (24-17) with 8:38 remaining before intermission. The Leopards held their largest first-half lead at nine, when a Cummins three-pointer gave the Leopards a 33-24 lead at the 3:00 mark. Lafayette took a 37-33 lead into the locker room.

Army (13-8, 3-3) began to fight back as the second half commenced. A fastbreak layup from Jarell Brown gave the game its first tie at 42 with 15:23 left. The teams continued to exchange quick spurts, before Lafayette stretched the lead to seven (50-43) with 12:30 remaining.

With the Leopards leading 56-51, Lafayette began to pull away. A steal by Andrew Brown led to an Everest Schmidt layup at the other end. On the following possession, Cummins grabbed an offensive rebound and found Ted Detmer underneath the basket for an easy bucket. After a Jarell Brown basket at the other end, the Leopards continued their run. Back-to-back three-pointers from Cummins gave the Leopards their largest lead at 15 (65-53) with 3:52 remaining in the game.

The Black Knights again cut the lead to seven, 70-63, at the 1:31 mark before two Brown free throws and a breakaway dunk by Cummins put the exclamation point on the 76-68 victory.

Andrew Brown's 17 points and Schmidt's 11 rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Leopards. Bell led the Black Knights with 23 points, joined by Jarell Brown's 18.

Lafayette managed to outrebound Army 31-23. Cummins, Betley, and Bilal Abdullah paced Lafayette with five apiece. Abdullah also led the Leopards with six assists. Lafayette shot 56 percent from the field, on 23-for-41 shooting, including 10-for-18 from three-point land. Army shot 48 percent (28-for-58) from the floor. Lafayette ended the night 20-for-28 from the free throw line and kept Army to only eight free throw attempts (4-for-8).

Lafayette continues its modest three-game league homestand on Saturday, when the Leopards host American at Kirby Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

NOTES:

HERE'S TO COACH "O": Head Coach Fran O'Hanlon tied former George Davidson for most career wins for the Maroon and White. Davidson manned the sidelines from 1955-67 for the Leopards.

BACK-TO-BACK: For the second consecutive game, a Lafayette player notched a career-high in points. Cummins' 22 points tonight followed Andrew Brown's 30 point effort on Saturday against Lehigh.