Jan. 26, 2008
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lafayette's five-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday in a 60-55 decision at Lehigh's Stabler Arena. The loss was the first in Patriot League play this season for the Leopards who remain atop the conference standings at 4-1.
Lafayette trailed for 19 minutes and 59 seconds of the first half as Lehigh jumped out to a 9-2 lead it did not relinquish until Michael Gruner's buzzer-beating layup gave Lafayette its first lead of the game, 28-27, at halftime.
The Leopards (13-7) scored the final two buckets of the first half and then opened the second half with a 13-0 run to take a 41-27 lead. Andrew Brown scored seven points in the run and Bilal Abdullah culminated the swing with a three-point play that gave the Leopards the 14-point lead. Abdullah finished with a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds.
Lehigh (10-9, 3-2) responded with a 17-3 run that gave the game its first tie at 44-44 with 9:52 to play. Marquis Hall made a fadeaway, circus-style three-pointer from the corner and Zahir Carrington hit a 12-footer over the outstretched arm of Marek Koltun to knot the game. Hall scored 10 points and had a game-high six assists. Carrington finished with 18 points.
Lehigh tied the game at 51-51 at 2:56 with a putback by Bryan White who ended with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Ted Detmer turned the corner in the lane and finished with a finger roll at 2:37 as Lafayette led 53-51. A minute later Dave Buchberger hit a three-pointer from the wing for the 54-53 Lehigh lead.
On the Leopards' next possession, Matt Betley missed a three-pointer. Lehigh threw an outlet pass that resulted in a fast-break chance for Carrington. Brown fouled him on the play, but was whistled for an intentional foul call that turned the tide of the game. Carrington made one of two free throws, but the Mountain Hawks maintained possession on the intentional foul call. The officials made a subsequent palming call that turned it back over to Lafayette, still down two.
The Leopards had the ball back with 35 seconds to go and Brown's three-point look missed and Betley's putback also rimmed off. Lafayette was forced to foul in the final 30 seconds and Lehigh extended its lead to 60-53 before Gruner hit two free throws with two seconds left in the game for the 60-55 final. Gruner finished with 11 points.
Lafayette continues in Patriot League action on Wednesday, hosting Army at 7 p.m. The game will mark the return of the Lafayette student body which begins spring semester classes on Monday.
GAME NOTES:
• Senior Bilal Abdullah claimed the 25th spot on Lafayette's all-time scoring list from Preston Denby '65 with 1,102 career points after posting his ninth consecutive double-digit effort.
• Tonight's game marks just the fourth time this season Lafayette has made fewer then 10 three's.
• The Leopards now hold an 8-3 record in games when leading they held the halftime lead.
