Dec. 8, 2010
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
EASTON, Pa. - Senior co-captain Jared Mintz had a career-high 28 points on the way to a 72-56 Lafayette victory over Great West Conference preseason favorite NJIT on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center. Darion Benbow and Tony Johnson each chipped in 10 points, both season-high performances.
Lafayette (4-6) hit five three-pointers to start the game as the NJIT defense focused on the Leopards' low-post attack. Lafayette did not score its first two-point field goal until the nine-minute mark when Ryan Willen put back a Jim Mower miss.
Johnson followed with a steal and fast-break layup and Benbow hit a 15-footer with five minutes left to cap a 12-3 run and propel the Leopards to their biggest lead of the half, 29-16. Lafayette led 36-29 at halftime.
In the second half, the game was never really in doubt, but the Highlanders (2-5) cut the Lafayette advantage to six (36-31) on two separate occasions. Jheryl Wilson hit a three at 17:46 to trim the lead to 37-31 and his free throw with 10:32 made it 53-47. He finished with a team-high 21 points and nine boards.
Lafayette put the game away with six minutes remaining using a 12-2 run that was highlighted by Ben Wheeler's steal and assist to Benbow for a breakaway dunk and a 16-point advantage, 65-49. Lafayette's led by as many as 20 in the second half.
The Leopards shot a season-best 54 percent from the field and out-rebounded NJIT 32-28. The Maroon and White dished out 22 assists on 26 baskets for the night with Rob Delaney leading the way with a career-high six and Wheeler with five.
Lafayette hits the road on Saturday, traveling to Brooklyn, N.Y for face Long Island University. Tip off is set for 2 p.m.
NOTES:
The Leopards have never lost to NJIT, holding a 4-0 record vs. the Highlanders.
