Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh hosts Colgate Wednesday in PL Quarterfinal clash
2/28/2012 3:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following a record-breaking regular season, the Lehigh men's basketball team begins postseason play on Wednesday when the Mountain Hawks (23-7, 11-3) host Colgate in the Patriot League Quarterfinals. Tipoff at Stabler Arena is set for 7 p.m. Lehigh will face the Raiders (8-23, 2-12) for the third time this season after winning 78-56, then 89-69. Colgate was leading at or near halftime of both games, though, forcing the Mountain Hawks to stage furious comebacks.
Should Lehigh win on Wednesday, the squad would remain home for the semifinals on Saturday to host the winner of #3 American vs. #6 Army. That game would start at 2 or 4:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
This marks the third straight season that Lehigh will host a Patriot League Quarterfinal game. Lehigh has won each of the last two contests, defeating Navy last season and Army during its 2009-10 championship campaign. Tickets for Wednesday night's game are on sale on Lehighsports.com, over the phone (610-758-4263) or in-person at Stabler Arena, Monday-through-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for students/children/seniors. Wednesday's game will also air live on Service Electric Channel 50.
The Mountain Hawks enter the tournament winners of five in a row, their second longest winning streak of the season (behind six consecutive wins bridging the end of November and beginning of December). Lehigh set numerous school records this season, including 12 nonleague wins and 23 Patriot League victories while tying a record 11 league wins. The squad capped off the regular season with a hard-fought 74-72 overtime win at Army Saturday. A John Adams three-pointer with 11 seconds to go was the difference, giving Lehigh its third late game-winning trey of the season along with Wagner (Anthony D'Orazio) and Bucknell (C.J. McCollum).
McCollum, who was named Patriot League Player of the Year for the second time on Monday, enters Wednesday with 1,959 career points, needing only 11 to pass all-time great Mike Polaha for second in Lehigh history.
Lehigh is looking to advance to the Patriot League Semifinals for a third straight season. A win would mark the Mountain Hawks' 13th win in their last 14 games dating back to last season. Lehigh is 3-2 all-time against the Raiders in the Patriot League Tournament.
Colgate finished the regular season with an 8-21 record, 2-12 in league play. The Raiders' two victories came against Navy, 65-54 (OT) and 59-57. Colgate did hang tough against third-seeded American, dropping a 59-58 heartbreaker at home. The Raiders have struggled on the road, going 3-13 vs. 5-8 at home. Leading the offense is Pat Moore, who torched the Mountain Hawks on Feb. 11 for 23 points on 7-of-8 from three-point range. The team has used numerous starting lineups, which includes the return of 1,000 point scorer Yaw Gyawu, who averages six points per game. Mike Venezia recently eclipsed 1,000 as well, standing at 9.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Mitch Rolls adds 8.8 points per contest while Sterling Melville comes in at eight. Center Nick Pascale leads the team in rebounding (4.7).
The Mountain Hawks have won both games against Colgate this season, but still trail the all-time series, 47-32. Lehigh has won five of the last seven overall with the only two losses coming last season. Prior to 2009-10, Lehigh had won three straight and nine of the previous 11. The sides first met way back in 1909-10, a 25-24 Colgate win. The teams later played every season from 1959 to '83, then also through the later 80s before reconvening for Patriot League play.
Should the Mountain Hawks win, they'd host the winner of #3 American and #6 Army at either 2 or 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets may be purchased on Lehighsports.com, over the phone (610-758-4263) or in-person at Stabler Arena, Monday-through-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for students/children/seniors.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook for exclusive content, team updates and more: http://www.facebook.com/LehighMensBasketball. Vote C.J. McCollum for the Lou Henson Award: http://www.votelouhenson.com/.
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Date:
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February 29, 2012
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Opponent:
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Colgate Raiders
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Tip-off:
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7:00 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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23-7 overall, 11-3 Patriot League
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Colgate's Record:
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8-23 overall, 2-12 Patriot League
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Series:
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Colgate leads, 47-32
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Radio:
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Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM and Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr and Greg Falkenbach '72. Pregame coverage gets underway at 6:30 PM.
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Television:
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Service Electric Channel 50
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Internet Video:
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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