Jan. 27, 2010

Box Score | Photo Gallery | | News Stand | Tickets | Official Gear

EASTON, Pa. - Three Leopards scored in double figures in Lafayette's 77-68 win over Army on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center. Jared Mintz led the way with 20 points and six rebounds.

Mintz shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the line for the Leopards who made the most of their free throw opportunities, converting 26-of-31 (84%). Sophomores Ryan Willen and Jim Mower finished with 17 and 15 points, respectively as Lafayette produced 77 points against an Army squad that was allowing just 59 points per game.

The Leopards' win and Lehigh's overtime loss at Bucknell puts Lafayette back in sole possession of first place in the Patriot League at 5-1, 14-7 overall. Lafayette continues to play its best basketball at home, going 9-1 on the Kirby hardwood.

The free throws proved to be important in the opening minutes on Wednesday. Willen put the first five points on the scoreboard all from the charity stripe (5-0). Lafayette did not record a field goal until Michael Gruner's layup at 13:54. Army led for just four minutes of the first half until the 12-minute mark when Mintz hit a jumper following one of Mower's three assists. Lafayette led Army 33-26 at halftime.

Lafayette's comfortable margin in the second half became a little less so over a three-minute span from 10:16 to 7:27. Cleveland Richard kicked off a 10-0 run that cut the Leopards' margin from 56-41 to 56-51. Richard finished with a team-high 20 points followed by Julian Simmons' 18.

In the final five minutes of the game, Lafayette went to the line six times and made 11-of-12 to finish off the Black Knights' night. The free throw battle was clearly won by the Maroon and White who got the line 22 more times than Army (12-7, 2-4). Army did not take a free throw in the first half and made just 5-of-9 in the second half.

Lafayette closes out the first round of Patriot League play on Saturday, hosting defending Patriot League champ American at 1 p.m.