Nov. 15, 2009
Box Score
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Sacred Heart used a 14-2 run midway through the second half to pull away to an 81-70 win over Lafayette men's basketball on Sunday at The Pitt Center.
Lafayette (1-1) led for the entire first half, holding a 36-34 lead after the first 20 minutes. Lafayette's biggest lead of the game came seven minutes in when freshman Levi Giese stepped outside to knock down a three-pointer off an assist from classmate Tony Johnson. Giese's trifecta followed three's by Jim Mower and Michael Gruner. Gruner made a successful return from an eye injury that forced him to miss much of the season-opening win vs. Wagner. He finished with eight points and two steals.
The teams were an identical 14-of-33 from the floor in the first half, with Lafayette's 4-of-5 stint at the line accounting for the two-point advantage.
Sacred Heart (2-0) took its first lead of the game with its first bucket of the second half when Chauncey Hardy knocked down the first of his three three-pointers. The game was tied for the final time at 53-53 when Ben Wheeler hit a runner with 12:25 left.
The Pioneers' decisive run began at the 11-minute mark on Corey Hassan's jumper and ended with Jerrell Thomspon's bucket at 5:29. Ryan Litke hit two three-pointers in the five and a half minute span. Coming off a 30-point game vs. Yale, Hassan finished with a game-high 21 points while Hardy added 17. Litke (14 points) and seven-footer Liam Potter (10 pts) both reached double figures with three of Potter's buckets coming on dunks.
Sacred Heart (2-0) shot 61 percent in the second half (19-of-31) as the Pioneers quickened the pace of the game. The Leopards were goo for 46 percent from the floor in the second half and shot 82 percent from the line (9-of-11) for the game. All 15 Lafayette players in uniform played in the game.
Sophomore Ryan Willen led the way for the Leopards with 14 points, including two late three's. Junior Jared Mintz contributed 12 points and five rebounds, but the Leopards were out-rebounded 39-29. Johnson played 21 minutes and pulled down four boards.
Lafayette returns to action on Thursday when its travels to St. Francis (Pa.) for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
