Mountain Hawks look for first win, Tuesday at Fairleigh Dickinson
11/14/2011 10:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following a pair of strong efforts to open up the season, the Lehigh men's basketball team eyes its first win of the season when it travels to Fairleigh Dickinson on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff against the Knights. The Mountain Hawks are coming off a nine-point loss at Iowa State, just three days after a slim five-point defeat at St. John's. Tuesday kicks off a busy week as Lehigh will play four games in six days, capped off by three games at Liberty this weekend as part of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.
Saturday was a special homecoming for two Iowa natives, who live approximately 40 minutes from Iowa State's campus. Junior Gabe Knutson (Urbandale) responded with 11 points despite limited minutes due to foul trouble, while freshman Corey Schaefer (Johnston) played 20 minutes off the bench. He scored four points and added two assists to serve as a spark for the Mountain Hawks' offense. Through two games, the freshman point guard has zero turnovers in 39 minutes of action.
For a complete behind the scenes video looking at the Mountain Hawks' trip, please click here.
The attendance for Saturday's game was 13,343, the most at a Lehigh Basketball game since the 2010 NCAA Tournament against Kansas. Ironically, that also marked the last time the Mountain Hawks faced a Big 12 foe. Lehigh has now played four schools currently from the Big 12.
The attendance for Saturday's game was 13,343, the most at a Lehigh Basketball game since the 2010 NCAA Tournament against Kansas. Ironically, that also marked the last time the Mountain Hawks faced a Big 12 foe. Lehigh has now played four schools currently from the Big 12.
For a second straight game, the Mountain Hawks went neck-and-neck with a BCS Conference foe. Lehigh led for parts of the first half and only trailed by three at the half, but Iowa State used hot second-half shooting to pull away. Lehigh ended on a high note, outscoring the Cyclones, 24-7, over the game's final 6:57, which included 11 points in the game's final 1:53.
The Mountain Hawks are looking for their second straight win against an NEC foe (dating back to last season) and third in their last four. Lehigh defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) and Bryant out of the NEC last year. The squad also looks to snap five-game road losing streak dating back to the end of last season.
Lehigh opened Saturday's game on a 7-2 run, forcing Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg to call a quick timeout following a C.J. McCollum fastbreak layup, just 3:52 into the game. Sophomore Anthony D'Orazio stood tall with 11 points along with a career-high three steals and career-high tying five rebounds. It marked the second double-digit scoring game of his career, along with his collegiate debut when he posted 17 at Penn State. That game was exactly one year ago (last Nov. 12). McCollum played a strong all-around game with 16 points, six assists and three rebounds. The six assists were within two of a career high, marking the most assists by a Lehigh player since Prentice Small had six last Feb. 16 vs. Colgate.
Much like Iowa State, Fairleigh Dickinson features a transfer-heavy roster. Among them is junior college transfer Lonnie Hayes, who led the Knights with 26 points in their season-opening 72-61 loss at Providence. The squad also features transfers from Division I schools Louisville, Duquesne, Hofstra, Western Texas, Hartford and Toledo. FDU is coming off a tough 5-24 season which included only three NEC wins. The Knights impressed in their 2011-12 opener, though, by taking a Big East squad down to the wire. Behind Hayes' scoring effort was Kinu Rochford, who posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Tuesday will mark the second-ever meeting between Lehigh and Fairleigh Dickinson. The only other contest came on Jan. 10, 1977, a 96-31 Lehigh victory.
The Mountain Hawks return to action this weekend when it heads to Liberty for the Subregionals of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. Lehigh will face William & Mary (Friday), host Liberty (Saturday) and Eastern Kentucky (Sunday). 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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Date:
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November 15, 2011
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Opponent:
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Fairleigh Dickinson Knights
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Tip-off:
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7:00 PM
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Arena/Capacity:
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Stratis Arena/5,000
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Location:
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Hackensack,N.J.
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Lehigh's Record:
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0-2 overall, 0-0 Patriot League
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Fairleigh Dickinson's Record:
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0-1 overall, 0-0 NEC
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Series:
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Lehigh leads, 1-0
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Radio:
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Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr. Pregame coverage gets underway at 6:30.
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Television:
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None
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Internet Video:
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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Season Preview: Men's Basketball
Thursday, October 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, October 30
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, February 07
Men's Basketball vs SUNY Oneonta
Thursday, November 16
