EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette men's basketball led Boston U. for 35 minutes in pocketing a 60-46 Patriot League-opening victory on Thursday evening in Kirby Sports Center.

Freshman Alex Chaikin led three Leopards in double figures with 14 points and six rebounds. Andrew Phillips (12) and Justin Vander Baan (10) followed his performance and combined for a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line. Overall, Lafayette shot 76.2 percent from the charity stripe on 21 attempts while Boston went 6-for-14. 

The Leopards drained 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first 10 minutes of play to secure an 18-16 advantage by the nine-minute mark. Eight points by Chaikin through an 11-6 Lafayette stretch to 2:11 kept the Leopards out front, 29-20.

The hosts led 31-23 en route to the locker room at the halftime thanks to a turn-around buzzer-beater by Caleb Williams.

Boston responded early in the second half, opening the period with a 7-0 run to close in for a one-point gap, 31-30, at 15:59. The Terriers' Azmar Abdullah knocked down nine points to tie the game, 43-43, at the nine-minute mark.  

A fast-break 3-pointer from Chaikin, assisted by Williams, put fire in an 11-0 spurt that allowed the Leopards a game-high 54-43 advantage by 3:35.

Chaikin and Andrew Phillips both netted a pair from the charity stripe in the final minute to earn the first conference win of the season, 60-46.

Kyrone Alexander led Boston with 14 points as the Terriers were held to 18-of-55 from the floor and only four 3-pointers.

Lafayette kept to a season-low four turnovers and forced the opponents to give up the ball nine times.

Next up, the Leopards travel to Navy on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tip-off.


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