Lehigh University
Holy Cross
Olivero's last second shot lifts Lehigh to win
1/28/2006 9:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Olivero netted a game-high 29 points, one off of his career-high, and hit the fourth game-winning shot of his career at Lehigh. The
For Holy Cross, senior Kevin Hamilton scored a team-high 20 points, while Tim Clifford added 19 on 8 of 13 shooting. Lehigh shot 42 percent from the field on the night, while the Crusaders hit 40 percent. The Mountain Hawks turned the ball over just ten times, while forcing 14 turnovers, but were out rebounded 39-30 for the game.
The two teams came out and were close throughout the early going, with Lehigh surging ahead by three on an old fashioned three-point play by Olivero at the 14:49 mark of the opening half. Holy Cross quickly went ahead however, taking a 13-11 lead on a three-pointer by Hamilton, one of two shots from downtown on the evening for the
That lead would then swell to 14 when again Clifford hit on a jumper, and the score was 35-21 in favor of the visitors with just 2:04 left before halftime. But Lehigh out together a nice little run, as Olivero hit a three, Bryan White sunk two free throws and Olivero converted a lay up just before the buzzer to make the score 37-28 Holy Cross at the break.
In the second half, the Mountain Hawks could not seem to cut into the Crusaders lead for the majority of the time, as Holy Cross went up ten with 10:46 to go on a jumper by
An Alex Vander Baan three-pointer with 1:21 left put the Crusaders up 63-60 with just 1:21 left, but two free throws by Olivero brought Lehigh to within two with just 16 ticks remaining. The play of the game then followed, as Holy Cross struggled to get the ball inbounds, and White came up with a huge steal near mid court. Lehigh called a time out and drew up the play for Olivero, as he drove the right side of the lane and finished strong to send the Lehigh faithful into a frenzy. The Crusaders had one final chance, but Cunningham’s three was no good at the buzzer, and the Mountain Hawks secured victory number-six in the league.
The Mountain Hawks are now off for a week, before returning to action on Saturday, February 4 when they welcome American to Stabler Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:35 and tickets can be purchased at the Lehigh Athletics Ticket Office, located in Grace Hall during normal business hours, by calling 610-7LU-GAME, at anytime on lehighsports.com, or on Saturday at the arena box office prior to the contest.
Photos (c) 2006, Chris Christian/Lehigh Athletics.
