Wednesday, December 4
Loretto, Pa.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Lehigh looks to continue momentum at Saint Francis (Pa.) Wednesday
12/3/2013 4:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes | Live Video | Listen Live | Live Stats
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Winners of two of its last three games, the Lehigh men's basketball team hits the road to face Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks, who are eying their first road win of the season, improved to 2-0 at home with an impressive 76-64 win over Sacred Heart on Sunday. Lehigh looks for its second straight win over an NEC foe (and 13th in its last 14 tries) dating back to 2011.
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Sophomore Jesse Chuku enjoyed a career game last time out, posting career highs in points (26) and rebounds (15) for his first-career double-double. The 15 rebounds were most by any Lehigh player since February 16, 2011 when C.J. McCollum had 15 against Colgate. Senior Mackey McKnight also posted a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 11 assists. It marked the first time since Jan. 12, 2011 against Navy that two Mountain Hawks recorded double-doubles. McCollum had 23 points and 11 rebounds while Gabe Knutson recorded 18 points and 14 rebounds in 71-63 win over the Midshipmen.
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Freshman Shane Whitfield enjoyed a strong game on Sunday, with career highs in points (9), rebounds (6) and assists (2). Classmate Tim Kempton scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He was also recently named City of Basketball Love Rookie of the Month for November, encompassing the website's greater Philadelphia coverage area.
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With McKnight's 11 assists, he moved from fifth to fourth place on the Lehigh all-time list, passing former great Mike Polaha. McKnight currently owns 432 career helpers, and is only five from tying Austen Rowland who had 437 in his career. His only career double-figure assist efforts have come in the two home games this season. Between Rider and Sacred Heart, the Mountain Hawks have scored 168 points, most over their first two home games since the 1994-95 season when they had 184. Lehigh shot 54.9 percent (28-of-51) from the field against Sacred Heart, best since the opener when it shot 58.8 percent (30-of-51).
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Saint Francis (Pa.) has struggled thus far, owning a 1-6 record with its lone win coming over Navy by a 60-57 final. The Red Flash are coming off a pair of losses to Patriot League squads Colgate (81-64) and American (75-43). Malik Harmon leads the team in scoring (10.7) while Earl Brown averages 10.6 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds. Stephon Mosley averages 7.1 points while Ollie Jackson comes in at 6.9 points per game. Saint Francis struggles on the glass; with just three players 6-6 or taller, the Red Flash are minus-10.9 in rebounding this season. Saint Francis averages 55.1 points per game while allowing 71.4.
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Lehigh holds a 7-3 lead over Saint Francis in the all-time series which began during the 1969-70 season. Saint Francis won the first three meetings and Lehigh has responded with seven straight victories. The teams have played in each of the last six seasons, most recently an 83-67 Mountain Hawk victory last December 8.
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The Mountain Hawks return home to host UMBC next Saturday (Dec. 7) and LIU Brooklyn (Dec. 9) before a 12-day break for final exams. Tickets are available online, including a print-at-home option, or by calling the ticket office at 610-7LU-GAME (610-758-4263). Individual game tickets are only five dollars (in advance) and season tickets are also available.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Winners of two of its last three games, the Lehigh men's basketball team hits the road to face Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks, who are eying their first road win of the season, improved to 2-0 at home with an impressive 76-64 win over Sacred Heart on Sunday. Lehigh looks for its second straight win over an NEC foe (and 13th in its last 14 tries) dating back to 2011.
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Sophomore Jesse Chuku enjoyed a career game last time out, posting career highs in points (26) and rebounds (15) for his first-career double-double. The 15 rebounds were most by any Lehigh player since February 16, 2011 when C.J. McCollum had 15 against Colgate. Senior Mackey McKnight also posted a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 11 assists. It marked the first time since Jan. 12, 2011 against Navy that two Mountain Hawks recorded double-doubles. McCollum had 23 points and 11 rebounds while Gabe Knutson recorded 18 points and 14 rebounds in 71-63 win over the Midshipmen.
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Freshman Shane Whitfield enjoyed a strong game on Sunday, with career highs in points (9), rebounds (6) and assists (2). Classmate Tim Kempton scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He was also recently named City of Basketball Love Rookie of the Month for November, encompassing the website's greater Philadelphia coverage area.
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With McKnight's 11 assists, he moved from fifth to fourth place on the Lehigh all-time list, passing former great Mike Polaha. McKnight currently owns 432 career helpers, and is only five from tying Austen Rowland who had 437 in his career. His only career double-figure assist efforts have come in the two home games this season. Between Rider and Sacred Heart, the Mountain Hawks have scored 168 points, most over their first two home games since the 1994-95 season when they had 184. Lehigh shot 54.9 percent (28-of-51) from the field against Sacred Heart, best since the opener when it shot 58.8 percent (30-of-51).
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Saint Francis (Pa.) has struggled thus far, owning a 1-6 record with its lone win coming over Navy by a 60-57 final. The Red Flash are coming off a pair of losses to Patriot League squads Colgate (81-64) and American (75-43). Malik Harmon leads the team in scoring (10.7) while Earl Brown averages 10.6 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds. Stephon Mosley averages 7.1 points while Ollie Jackson comes in at 6.9 points per game. Saint Francis struggles on the glass; with just three players 6-6 or taller, the Red Flash are minus-10.9 in rebounding this season. Saint Francis averages 55.1 points per game while allowing 71.4.
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Lehigh holds a 7-3 lead over Saint Francis in the all-time series which began during the 1969-70 season. Saint Francis won the first three meetings and Lehigh has responded with seven straight victories. The teams have played in each of the last six seasons, most recently an 83-67 Mountain Hawk victory last December 8.
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The Mountain Hawks return home to host UMBC next Saturday (Dec. 7) and LIU Brooklyn (Dec. 9) before a 12-day break for final exams. Tickets are available online, including a print-at-home option, or by calling the ticket office at 610-7LU-GAME (610-758-4263). Individual game tickets are only five dollars (in advance) and season tickets are also available.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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| Date: | December 4, 2013 |
| Opponent: | Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Flash |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 PM |
| Arena/Capacity: | Degol Arena/3,500 |
| Location: | Loretto, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 3-5, 0-0 Patriot League  |
| Saint Francis' Record: | 1-6, 0-0 NEC |
| Series: | Lehigh leads, 7-3 |
| Radio: | Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM and Lehighsports.com with Tom Fallon. Pregame coverage gets underway at 6:30 PM |
| Television: | None |
| Internet Video: | NEC Front Row |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | Saint Francis (Pa.) Official Website |
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