EASTON, Pa. - Caleb Williams had a career evening to propel Lafayette over Bucknell, 81-79, in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday evening at Kirby Sports Center.

Williams scored a career-high 28 points, most notably using a 7-of-11 performance beyond the arc. His 5-for-6 at the charity stripe led the way in Lafayette's 23-of-31 overall, opposed to Bucknell's 24-for-32 at the line.

Andrew Phillips (19) and Mark Butler (12) rounded out the players in double figures in scoring with Butler dishing a game-high seven assists. The Maroon and White's 48 percent from the floor trumped Bucknell's 46 percent.

By 12:52 in the first period, freshman Shareef Jackson scored all four of Lafayette's points in the paint in a 14-4 deficit.

The Leopards got as close as four, 22-18, with a 14-8 stretch to the eight-minute mark. Williams' pair of 3-pointers paced the advance.

In the next two minutes, Andrew Phillips added his first three points of the night to tie the game, 22-22 (6:20).

The Bison earned a 12-9 edge to retake the lead, 34-31, by 2:38. Achile Spadone posted seven points in the spurt.

Bucknell held a 39-37 advantage at halftime, while both teams shot 50 percent from the floor in the opening half.

The opponents made a 16-9 run to kick off the second period, jumping out to a 55-46 lead by 13:25. In that time, Amon Dorries' six points carried five Bison scorers.

Williams and Phillips combined for eight points through the eight-minute mark, though Bucknell kept just out of reach, 61-55.

Lafayette found its scoring rhythm heading into the remaining six minutes of the game, netting 6-of-7 from the floor and two from beyond the arc to double Bucknell's output 16-8. Williams' 3-pointer at 3:55 brought him above his previous career high (24) and made way for a 73-71 Leopard lead.

Senior captain Ryan Pettit made a crucial steal that led to an easy layup to put the hosts out front, 77-74 at 1:48.

Humphrey-Rembert's pair at the line extended Lafayette's margin by three points, 79-76, with 26 seconds left in regulation.

Bucknell's Pat Curtin was fouled on his 3-point attempt to tie the game and made two shots. Lafayette was up by one, 80-79, with seven seconds on the clock.

The Bison fouled Williams immediately afterwards. The sophomore secured one free throw before helping the defensive unit shut down Bucknell's Spadone's corner 3-pointer try as the clock ran out.

The Bison featured five athletes in double figures, led by Dorries' 16 points and two rebounds. The squad had the lead for 33:40 compared to Lafayette's 3:15 through four changes.
 
Next up, the Leopards travel to American on Saturday 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.