Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh welcomes American for Super Sunday appetizer
2/4/2011 4:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Riding the momentum of a thrilling comeback victory over Holy Cross, the Lehigh men's basketball returns to action after an eight-day layoff when it hosts American at 2 p.m. on Super Sunday. The game - which features the top two scorers in the Patriot League - will air nationally on CBS College Sports.Please note, the game is also set to re-air on CBS College Sports later Sunday evening at 8 p.m. and then again on Monday morning (10 a.m.).
The last time they met, sophomore C.J. McCollum and American's Vlad Moldoveanu put on a show, combining for 71 points in an 82-75 Eagles' victory. Since, the league's top two scorers have continued to impress as McCollum comes in with a 22.1 scoring average and Moldoveanu 20.3. The game also features the league's last three Patriot League Champions as American won two in a row in 2008 and '09 before Lehigh earned the title last season.
The Mountain Hawks (12-10, 3-4 PL) picked up a much-needed victory last Saturday, coming back to top the Crusaders in overtime. That pulled them to within a game of .500 in Patriot League play, halfway through the league schedule. McCollum single-handedly kept Lehigh close when he took over midway through the second half. He went on to record 29 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for his third straight double-double, seventh this season and 10th of his career. The 14 rebounds tied a career-high while his six assists set a season-high and fell only two shy of his career-high of eight, also against Holy Cross last season.
McCollum was then honored with a pair of awards, garnering both Patriot League and ECAC Player of the Week. He has now recorded 23 or more points in all seven league games thus far and is up to 1,118 career points, already 20th in school history and 55th in Patriot League laurels.
Last Saturday's win marked Lehigh's third straight over Holy Cross. The Mountain Hawks improve to 2-0 in overtime games as they also defeated Stony Brook by a similar final back in December. Lehigh won that game in the extra session, 79-76. Saturday also marked Lehigh's third win (in six tries) when trailing at the half. Fellow sophomore Gabe Knutson enjoyed a stellar game as well, recording his fifth-career 20+ point scoring outburst (third this season). He has now recorded double figures in six straight. Lehigh out-rebounded Holy Cross, 42-34 and has now out-rebounded three straight opponents; the Mountain Hawks are 9-1 in games they hold the rebounding edge.
Lehigh is looking for its third straight win to begin a month. The Mountain Hawks also won their first games of December (Stony Brook) and January (NJIT). They're vying for their eighth home win of the season (to only three losses) while winning for the 13th time in their last 16 home games dating back to last season.
The preseason Patriot League favorite, American enters with a 5-2 league mark and in second place, trailing first-place Bucknell by only a single game. An up and down season saw the Eagles jump out to a 5-0 start before splitting their next 10. They enter Stabler Arena winners of eight of their last 10 overall. The squad's only league losses thus far have been to Bucknell (75-60) and Navy (72-53). Preseason All-Patriot League selection Moldoveanu leads American and is second in the Patriot League in scoring (20.3), only behind McCollum's 22.1 per game. A strong supporting cast sees Stephen Lumpkins averaging 12.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Despite American not sponsoring a varsity baseball team, Lumpkins was actually selected in the 42nd round of last June's MLB Draft (by the Pittsburgh Pirates). Georgia transfer Troy Brewer is averaging 10.7 points and four rebounds per contest. Nick Hendra leads the way in assists - 3.6 per game.
Lehigh and American meet for the second time this season and 34th overall with the Eagles holding a 19-14 advantage. A very competitive series has seen the teams split the last 10 meetings. That includes a pair of impressive streaks, a four-game winning streak by American followed by three straight victories by the Mountain Hawks (all last season). The 3-0 record included a 79-57 triumph in the Patriot League Semifinals. Lehigh is 7-4 all-time against American in the friendly confines of Stabler Arena.
The Mountain Hawks hit the road for the first time in more than two weeks when they travel to Navy on Wednesday. They then head to Army on Saturday (Feb. 12) for a showdown with the Black Knights. Listen live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 and on Lehighsports.com. The squad returns home on Feb. 16 when it hosts Colgate at Stabler Arena. 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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February 6, 2011
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Opponent:
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American Eagles
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Tip-off:
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2:00 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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12-10 overall, 3-4 Patriot League
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American's Record:
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15-7 overall, 5-2 Patriot League
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Series:
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American leads, 19-14
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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 1:30
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Television:
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CBS College Sports
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Internet Video:
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None
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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