Jan. 2, 2011
Box Score
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Jim Mower scored 13 points in the second overtime to lead Lafayette to a 98-92 victory at Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday. Coming off a 21-point game at Gonzaga, Mower hit three three-pointers in the final five-minute period and finished with a game-high 28 points and career-high 10 rebounds for Lafayette's first double-double of the season.
Mower hit his first three-pointer of the second overtime just four seconds in on an assist by Rob Delaney. The Leopards gave up a quick bucket before the Delaney to Mower tandem resulted in another three 40 seconds later. Lafayette (5-9) led 85-81.
FDU coach Greg Vetrone was whistled for a technical foul at 3:10 in the second overtime, sending Mower to the line. Mower made both free throws, added a final three-pointer with 2:35 left and deposited two more free throws with 54 seconds left to give Lafayette a 92-84 lead.
Jared Mintz, who finished with 24 points and nine boards, converted four foul shots and Delaney added two in the final 35 seconds to put away the game, the Leopards' first road victory of the season.
The Leopards had their chances to end it in regulation and were at the same time lucky to get to overtime. Two Mintz free throws put Lafayette ahead 65-63 with 1:19 left. With 14 seconds left, Mower hit one of two at the line and Lafayette led 66-64. Three seconds later FDU Briahn Smith hit a three to give FDU a 67-66 lead.
The Leopards inbounded and moved it up the length of the court where they found Ryan Willen. Willen was fouled driving to the hoop with 1.2 seconds left. He made the first attempt, but the second one rimmed out, sending the game to overtime.
With 1:21 left in the first overtime, Tony Johnson saw his defender drop back to defend the drive and Johnson drilled a three for the 14th tie of the game (76-76). Delaney followed with a three with 27 seconds left, but a three-point play by FDU's Mike Scott sent the teams to a second overtime period.
In all, Lafayette hit six three-pointers in overtime and 13 for the game. Six players, including Mower, Mintz, Willen (12), Delaney (12), Darion Benbow (12) and Johnson (10), reached double figures. Mower scored more than a third of his points at the line, hitting 10-of-11, including 6-of-6 in overtime. The Leopards turned it over just once in the final 10 minutes and had 21 assists to just 13 turnovers for the game.
FDU (3-8) was led by 23 from Scott and 19 points and 10 rebounds from Kamil Svrdlik. The Knights had four players in double digits, but shot just 60 percent (28-of-47) from the line
Lafayette wraps up its non-conference slate on Wednesday, hosting Columbia at 7 p.m.
NOTES:
The Leopards had six players in double figures for the first time since Nov. 24, 2009 which was also the last time all five Lafayette starters scored in double figures.
The last time Lafayette played in a double-overtime game was Feb. 18, 2007, a 75-71 victory over Lehigh.
Lafayette had three players (Benbow, Johnson and Mower) foul out for the first time since Nov. 16, 2007 (also a game vs. FDU).
