Lehigh University
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Dartmouth
Lehigh hangs on for 60-57 victory
12/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Hanover, NH – Freshman Jose Olivero hit two free throws with eight seconds remaining to seal a 60-57 victory for Lehigh, the team’s fifth consecutive, as the Mountain Hawks defeated Dartmouth on Saturday afternoon from Leede Arena. Olivero finished with 16 points as did senior Ra Tiah to lead Lehigh offensively. The win improves the Mountain Hawks to 6-3 on the season, while the Big Green fell to 2-6.
Both teams came out very cold as neither team was able to score until three minutes had gone by. For the half, Lehigh shot only 30 percent, and the Big Green shot 28. Tiah and Austen Rowland led the way with five points apiece. Rowland scored all of his points in a one-minute spurt with a three-pointer and short jumper in successive possessions. Rowland and junior Earl Nurse pulled down a game high seven rebounds in the first half, while Rowland and Tiah dished out two assists apiece. Lehigh connected on three three pointers and hit three of four foul shots. The Big Green were led by David Gardner with six points in the half.
The second half was a back and forth affair with the lead changing hands numerous times, but in the end, the Mountain Hawks were able to come out on top. Neither team could seem to pull away, but Lehigh stuck with its game plan and never lost composure, resulting in the win. Olivero hit all six of his free throws, including the last two and as a team, Lehigh shot 86 percent for the game. Rowland finished with seven points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Nurse played an all around great game with his defense and rebounding as the forward grabbed nine rebounds and added a steal.
Lehigh returns to action on Monday when the Mountain Hawks travel to New York to take on Albany. Tip-off is set for 7:00 and the game can be heard live in the Lehigh Valley on Oldies 1470-WKAP and worldwide on the Lehigh website.
