Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh continues homestand on Saturday afternoon vs. Holy Cross
1/28/2011 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Looking to bounce back from Wednesday's loss to Bucknell, the Lehigh men's basketball team plays game two of its three-game homestand when it faces Holy Cross on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. The Mountain Hawks (11-10, 2-4 Patriot League) look to enter an eight-day layoff on a high note as they won't play again until Super Bowl Sunday.Saturday is extra meaningful for Lehigh, who is taking part in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers Awareness Weekend. As part of the weekend, basketball coaches nationwide will wear sneakers with their suits to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society. Fans are also encouraged to wear sneakers to the game to show their support. Donations will be collected at Stabler Arena to benefit the American Cancer Society while select items will also be on sale with proceeds supporting the initiative.
Lehigh is coming off a tough 81-68 loss at the hands of first-place Bucknell. The Bison jumped out to an early lead and wouldn't look back, as the Mountain Hawks attempted to stage numerous comebacks, but Bucknell wouldn't allow them to pull any closer than 13. Sophomore C.J. McCollum led the way in scoring with 24 points, including a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line. He has led the Mountain Hawks in scoring in each of their first six league games.
Holy Cross is coming off a home loss to Colgate on Thursday. The Crusaders are only 4-16 for the season, but do stand at 3-3 in Patriot League play. With a win on Saturday, Lehigh would pull into [at least] a tie for fourth in the league. That proves significant as the top four seeds are guaranteed a first round home game in the Patriot League Tournament come March.
The Mountain Hawks did not hit a three-pointer on Wednesday, finishing 0-for-13 from long range. It marked the first time since Jan. 30, 2008 (also against Bucknell) that Lehigh failed to hit a three-point shot. The squad finished 0-of-9 that game, but did win, 56-54.
McCollum grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with his 24 points for his second-straight double-double, his sixth of the season and ninth of his career. Wednesday marked only the fifth time all season the squad trailed at the half. The Mountain Hawks are 2-3 in those game. They are 9-6 when leading at the half and 0-1 when tied. It also marked Lehigh's first loss when out-rebounding its opponent; the team is 8-1 in those games.
Holy Cross struggled in non-league play, going 1-13, but has turned it around since Patriot League play began. The Crusaders have played a tough schedule, falling at Boston College, UMass and Wake Forest while also succumbing to quality opponents Saint Joseph's, George Washington and Hofstra. The team's lone non-league win was at Marist, 75-57. The Crusaders jumped out to a 2-0 start in Patriot League play, defeating Lafayette and Army before dropping a two-point heartbreaker at Bucknell. The squad bounced back to win at Navy, but has since dropped two in a row (both at home), against American and Colgate.
Leading the way offensively is Devin Brown with 13.2 points per game, while Andrew Keister is right behind him at 11.8, along with a team-high 7.5 rebounds. Eric Obeysekere has also been strong in starting 13 games, posting 5.1 points and 6.6 boards per game. Andrew Beinert is the team's top assist man, averaging 3.8 helpers per game, tied with Lehigh's Mackey McKnight for third in the Patriot League.
Lehigh and Holy Cross have met 47 times in their history with the Crusaders holding a 33-14 advantage. The teams met one time before the formation of the Patriot League, an 84-60 Holy Cross victory during the 1975-76 season. Lehigh bounced back with two straight wins during the 1990-91 campaign, but the Crusaders have responded in a big way. The Mountain Hawks dropped 11 of 13 meetings heading into last season, but they swept last season's contests - including their first win at Holy Cross since 1998 - to gain momentum in the all-time series.
The Mountain Hawks wrap up their three-game homestand next Sunday (Feb. 6) when they welcome American to Stabler for a 2 p.m. tip-off, which will air nationally on CBS College Sports. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased on Lehighsports.com or by calling the ticket office at (610) 7LU-GAME.
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Date:
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January 29, 2011
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Opponent:
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Holy Cross Crusaders
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Tip-off:
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1:00 PM
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Arena/Capacity:
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Stabler Arena/5,600
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Location:
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Lehigh's Record:
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11-10 overall, 2-4 Patriot League
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Holy Cross' Record:
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4-16 overall, 3-3 Patriot League
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Series:
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Holy Cross leads, 33-14
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Radio:
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Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 and Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr and Greg Falkenbach '72. Pregame coverage gets underway at 12:30
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Television:
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Service Electric 2 Sports (in the Lehigh Valley)
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Internet Video:
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Patriot League All-Access
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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MHT EP7 - Men's Basketball
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