EASTON, Pa. - Men's basketball battled Stonehill to a 70-65 decision on Sunday afternoon in Kirby Sports Center.

Lafayette's top performance came from freshman Caleb Williams who netted 15 points as one of three Leopards in double figures. Justin Vander Baan's double-double on 14 points and 11 rebounds alongside Alex Chaikin (12) rounded out the trio.

The Maroon and White shot 40.7 percent from the floor and were held to just 28.6 from 3-point range.

The Leopards took an initial 7-0 advantage in the first three minutes of play before Stonehill overtook them with an 11-2 run, leading 11-9 at 12:32.

Even play over the following seven minutes heralded a 23-20 lead for Stonehill, which shot 5-of-8 from the floor. Mark Butler commanded the Leopards in that time with four points.

The Skyhawks led 28-27 going into the locker room for halftime.

Lafayette made a 16-10 jump at the start of the second period, stealing the 43-38 advantage by 14:42. Williams and Andrew Phillips both sank a 3-pointer to help the stretch.

Six Skyhawks got on the board to retaliate with a 19-10 run to the five-minute mark to create a four-point buffer, 57-53.

Senior co-captain Vander Baan made a three-point play on a baseline drive to get the Leopards out front one last time, 59-57 at 3:08.

Stonehill put together an 13-6 scoring drive in the final minutes, fueled by 6-of-10 from the charity stripe when the Leopards were forced to foul. Chaikin hit a fast break 3-pointer with 18 seconds on the clock in an attempt to quell the Skyhawks, down 68-65.

The opponents held Lafayette to 1-of-3 from the floor and 3-of-7 at the line in the final two minutes before the 70-65 decision.

Stonehill shot 44.4 percent from the field and 45 percent from long range, led by Louie Semona's 15 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Next up, the Leopards begin Patriot League play with Boston U. on Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip-off at home.


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