Feb. 24, 2010

Box Score | News Stand | Patriot League Tournament Ticket Info

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Lafayette guaranteed itself a home game in the Patriot League Tournament quarterfinals and moved into second-place tie in the conference standings with a 80-54 win over Army on Wednesday. The Leopards put together a 15-0 run midway thorough the first half at Christl Arena and never relinquished control of the game.

The Leopards were buoyed by a stellar three-point shooting effort for the second straight game, canning 14 three's after making a season-high 16 vs. Lehigh on Sunday. Jim Mower led the way with 26 points on a career-high eight three-pointers. Ryan Willen added 15 points, 11 of which came in the first half.

A back-and-forth first half took a positive turn for the Maroon and White starting at 10:51. Willen's jumper erased Army's last lead of the game and kicked off a 20-3 span by the Leopards over five minutes during which Willen had seven points. Mower hit three three's and Lafayette added six more points on free throws. Lafayette took its biggest lead of the half, 39-23, with 5:23 left on the final of Mower's four first-half three-pointers. Lafayette led 42-28 at halftime.

In the second half, Lafayette put together 12 straight points, leading 65-38 at 9:59 Ben Wheeler started the run hitting a long three and Jeff Kari ended the run on of course, a three, that put the game out for reach by 27 points. .

Lafayette shot 52 percent from the field, making 14-of-27 (52%) from the long range and out-rebounded Army 32-27. Army was only able to connect on 19-of-49 (39%) and 27 percent from three-point land.

The Leopards will play their last game of the regular season when Lafayette travels to American for a 4 p.m. tip. The game will be televised live on CBS College Sports Network.

Lafayette will hosts a yet to be determined opponent on Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at Kirby Sports Center. All Leopard fans are encouraged to wear white to the game.