Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh looks to right the ship at Navy on Wednesday
2/8/2011 3:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following a three-game homestand, the Lehigh men's basketball team hits the road on Wednesday to face Navy. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside Alumni Hall. The Mountain Hawks look to get back on the winning track after a heartbreaking 62-61 loss to American on Sunday. Lehigh and Navy enter Wednesday with identical 3-5 league records.Sunday's CBS College Sports showdown lived up to expectations as a tight game that went down to the wire. In the end, neither team held greater than a nine-point advantage, while the margin was within six for the final 6:55 of regulation. Sophomore C.J. McCollum continued to be the story for the Mountain Hawks as he finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth-straight double-double, eighth of the season (and 11th of his career). He has recorded 97 points and 49 rebounds over those four games. With the team down nine midway through the second half, McCollum responded with 11 points in only 2:54 to help Lehigh pull right back into the game. The nation's leading sophomore scorer is now up to eighth in the nation overall behind his 22.1 average.
Senior Michael Ojo helped shut down the Patriot League's second leading scorer - Vlad Moldoveanu - to only 13 points, this after recording a career-high 39 in the first meeting. Despite the loss, Lehigh remains in a five-way tie for fourth-place, the final home court advantage slot for the first round of the Patriot League Tournament.
The Mountain Hawks are looking for their first season sweep of Navy since the 2006 season. They are also eying their second straight road victory while improving to 4-2 over their last six away from home.
Lehigh was out-rebounded (by American), 37-28 for the first time since Jan. 19 at Colgate. The squad held the rebounding edge in three straight games prior to Sunday. The Mountain Hawks trailed at the half for only the seventh time all season. Junior Jordan Hamilton had a strong game, finishing only two points shy of his career-high; he posted 10 on 3-of-4 shooting, 2-of-3 from three-point range. Also noteworthy was sophomore Gabe Knutson, who netted nine points to eclipse 600 for his career (currently 602).
The Midshipmen have turned things around ever since falling to 0-4 in Patriot League play as they responded with three straight victories before succumbing to Bucknell last time out. After dropping a 71-63 final at Lehigh on Jan. 12, Navy then lost at Lafayette and vs. Holy Cross before coming back to defeat Army, American and Colgate in succession. The Colgate victory came in double overtime by an 81-78 final. Navy stands at 8-16 overall and 3-5 in Patriot League play, as one of five teams tied for fourth place.
Leading the way offensively is Jordan Sugars with 15.8 points and 5.8 rebounds while freshman sensation J.J. Avila has posted 11.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Greg Brown also averages double figures, with 10.5 points and 3.5 boards. Senior O.J. Avworo is the team's leading assist man with 3.5 per game. Navy turns the ball over a lot (15.8 times per game), but forces even more (20.0). Last time the teams played, Lehigh turned the ball over a season-high 22 times while also forcing 19 in an up-tempo slugfest.
The Mountain Hawks face Navy on Wednesday for the second time this season and 69th in their history. The Midshipmen hold a dominating 48-20 advantage and have won six of the last eight overall, including both during last season's Patriot League Championship campaign. Navy handed Lehigh two of its four league losses and stood as the only team to sweep the Mountain Hawks. The first-ever meeting between the longtime rivals came during the 1910-11 season. They continued to play almost annually until the 1933-34 campaign before reconvening again in 1979-80.
Lehigh wraps up its mini two-game road trip when they travel to Army on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tip-off with the Black Knights. Listen live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 and on Lehighsports.com. The squad returns home on Wednesday (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 9, 2011
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Opponent:
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Navy Midshipmen
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Tip-off:
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7:00 PM
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Arena/Capacity:
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Alumni Hall/5,710
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Location:
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Annapolis, Md.
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Lehigh's Record:
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12-11 overall, 3-5 Patriot League
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Navy's Record:
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8-16 overall, 3-5 Patriot League
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Series:
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Navy leads, 48-20
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Radio:
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Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 and Lehighsports.com with Tom Fallon. Pregame coverage gets underway at 6:30
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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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