WASHINGTON, D.C. - Led by a career-high 27 points from freshman Josh Rivera, Lafayette defeated American 70-59 on Wednesday evening in Bender Arena. The Leopards led wire to wire with the victory signaling the fourth straight this season, all coming in conference play. 

Rivera shot a scorching 93 percent from the floor (11-of-12) and knocked down both shots from beyond the arc in the second meeting of the year with the Eagles. The New Brunswick, N.J. native added two rebounds and an assist for the Leopards who shot 56 percent from the floor and 43 percent from beyond the arc.

Lafayette started out hot, making an 11-2 run by 16:38. Rivera put up four points, followed by Leo O'Boyle with three and CJ Fulton with two.

The visitors continued to attack the Eagles in the paint, extending the lead to 21-12 at the eight-minute mark. Sophomore Justin Vander Baan got in on that scoring streak with his first points of the evening on a pair of layups.

As the game moved toward halftime, Fulton and Rivera each sank 3-pointers with less than three minutes to play. Lafayette extended the halftime margin to 33-21.

The Maroon and White returned from the break and played even through the first media timeout with T.J. Berger and Kyle Jenkins managing their first set of layups and dunks with five and four points, respectively. American retaliated with a 9-3 run of its own to cut Lafayette's advantage to 51-39 at 10:39.

Jenkins and Fulton squeezed in 3-pointers, keeping the lead at 11 (56-45) when the at the under-8-minute timeout arrived.

Rivera hammered down three dunks in the final two minutes to help finish off the Eagles, 70-59, and push Lafayette to its first four-game win streak since notching five straight in 2020-21.

American shot 56 percent from the field, led by Johnny O'Neil with 17 points and eight rebounds. O'Boyle finished in double figures with 11 points while Fulton registered seven assists on the evening. 

Next up for the Leopards is #TheRivalry on Saturday at Lehigh. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pa.


For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.