Lehigh hosts rival Lafayette for right to go dancing
3/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - It would be hard to write a better script than the one that will take place inside Stabler Arena on Friday evening as top-seeded Lehigh welcomes No. 3 seed and archrival Lafayette to town in the 2010 Patriot League championship. The winner of the 213th meeting between these rivals will receive an automatic berth to the upcoming NCAA Tournament as well as bragging rights in the Lehigh Valley for the next calendar year. Lehigh ran all over American in its semifinal game on Sunday by a score of 79-57 as freshman C.J. McCollum led four Mountain Hawks in double figures with 22 points, while Dave Buchberger knocked down four three-pointers en route to 16 tallies. The Leopards downed Holy Cross 66-63 in a down-to-the-wire semifinal behind 17 points from Jim Mower. Lehigh and Lafayette have never met in the Patriot League championship game.
Lehigh meets rival Lafayette for just the fourth time in the Patriot League Tournament on Friday with the Brown and White holding a 2-1 lead in those contests. Friday’s game marks the first time these archrivals have ever met in the P.L. Tournament inside of Stabler Arena. Lehigh is 4-4 all-time inside the STAR in Patriot League Tournament games.
In two Patriot League Tournament games Lehigh has held its opponents to 51.0 points on 40% shooting from the floor and 30% from three-point range. The 45 points Lehigh surrendered to Army were the fewest points the Mountain Hawks have allowed since Colgate scored 40 on February 18, 2009. The 45 points were also the fewest Lehigh has allowed in the postseason since Colgate scored 44 in the 2006 quarterfinals in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Mountain Hawks are currently second in the league in field goal percentage defense (42.4%).
Lehigh currently ranks eighth in the nation in three- point shooting at 40.2%. The Mountain Hawks, who have shot 40% or better in 17 games, have made a school record 206 threes this season. Lehigh has hit at least five three-pointers in 24 games.
Friday’s game will take place at Stabler Arena with tip-off slated for 4:45. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by logging onto Lehighsports.com or at the arena box office prior to tip-off.
Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for seniors and students with a valid student ID. Lehigh students and faculty/staff must purchase tickets to the game because it is a postseason event. All ID card holders of any kind will be asked to purchase a ticket to the game. Season ticket holders are guaranteed their regular season seats and should purchase by phone or by visiting Grace Hall.
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Date: |
March 12, 2010 |
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Opponent: |
No. 3 Lafayette Leopards |
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Tip-off: |
4:45 PM |
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Arena/Capacity: |
Stabler Arena/5,600 |
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Location: |
Bethlehem, Pa. |
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No. 1 Lehigh’s Record: |
21-10 overall, 10-4 Patriot League |
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No. 3 Lafayette’s Record: |
19-12 overall, 8-6 Patriot League |
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Series: |
Lafayette leads 137- 75 |
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Radio/Internet Audio: |
Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 and Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr and Greg Falkenbach ‘72. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 4:15 |
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Television: |
Live on ESPN2 with Jon Sciambi and LaPhonso Ellis |
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Behind Enemy Lines: |
Patriot League Championship Preview
