Thursday, December 23
Los Angeles, Calif.
8:30:00 PM
Lehigh University
49
at
76
USC
Hot-shooting USC proves too strong for Lehigh
12/24/2010 2:52:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Lehigh men's basketball team couldn't overcome USC's 18-2 first-half run, and despite cutting into the lead on numerous occasions, the Mountain Hawks (6-6) failed to pull any closer than 13, falling by a 76-49 final on Thursday evening. The story of the game was the Trojans' (8-5) outside shooting as they finished 56 percent (9-of-16) from three-point range.
“We knew it was a tough opponent, one that had played very well coming into this contest,” said head coach Brett Reed. “With the addition of Jio Fontan, it gives them another perimeter threat. In the end, we were out of sync and couldn't put together our runs and sustain it for a period of time. We had opportunities to score - but didn't convert - and unfortunately, our defense wasn't strong enough to contain their interior presence and from the perimeter.”
Making his homecoming to Los Angeles, Santa Monica native Michael Ojo finished with seven points, including Lehigh's first points of the game. Freshman Mackey McKnight scored 10, including eight in the game's first 8:17, while senior David Safstrom posted a career-high four points, coming on consecutive second-half possessions. He was also active on the glass with five rebounds along with a career-high four blocks.C.J. McCollum finished with only seven points to tie a season-low as strong defense from Marcus Simmons coupled with numerous double teams kept the Mountain Hawks' sophomore sensation at bay.
USC was led by 21 from Jio Fontan, including a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range. Nikola Vucevic (16), Donte Smith (13) and Alex Stepheson (11) posted double figures as well.
McKnight was the story early on as he scored eight first half points, all in the early going. His three-pointer with 17:41 to go evened the score at five, but USC staged a 9-0 run over the next 3:42 before McKnight hit two free throws with 13:59 to go to pull Lehigh within 14-7.
The Mountain Hawks continued to inch closer as a McKnight three-pointer made it 19-12 with 11:44 on the clock. Sophomore Holden Greiner followed with another trey to pull Lehigh back within four, with 10:19 left on the clock. That capped off an 8-0 run, taking only 2:33 to quickly make a 19-7 deficit only 19-15.
USC took over from that point forward, using hot outside shooting to outscore the Mountain Hawks, 18-2 over the next 5:18 to open a 37-17 lead with 5:01 to go. The Trojans finished the first half a sizzling 75 percent (6-of-8) from three-point range, along with 54 percent (15-of-28) from the field.
Down 38-21 at the half, the Mountain Hawks came out strong out of the locker room, scoring on their first five possessions to trim four points off the deficit. A fast break layup from sophomore Gabe Knutson pulled Lehigh within 13, 44-31, with 17:08 to go, the closet since it was 29-17 with 6:12 to go in the first half.
The Trojans continued to utilize their deadly three-point shooting, extending their lead past 20. Lehigh continued to battle, however. Freshman Kevin McCarthy came in to play a career-high 10 minutes, while scoring two points and grabbing a rebound.
USC shot 48 percent (28-of-58) for the game, along with its incredible 56 percent (9-of-16) from three-point range. Lehigh finished at 32 percent (17-of-54) and 22 percent (4-of-18) from long range. The Trojans won the battle of the boards, 41-33.
“They did shoot well,” said Reed. “Part of that is a credit to them and part of that is a challenge to our team to force stops.”
The Mountain Hawks return to Stabler Arena after the holiday for a matchup against Saint Peter's on Dec. 29 before heading to Yale two days later to face the Bulldogs. Tickets for all home games are now on sale and may be purchased on Lehighsports.com or by calling the ticket office at (610) 7LU-GAME.
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