Sunday, November 23
Stabler Arena
2:00 pm
Lehigh University
0-4
44
vs
54
Columbia
2-1
1
2
F
Columbia
32
22
54
Lehigh
23
21
44
Lehigh unable to overcome early hole in 54-44 loss to Columbia
11/23/2014 5:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Columbia opened a 16-point first-half lead then Lehigh closed the gap to as little as five, but the Mountain Hawks couldn't pull any closer, falling 54-44 on Sunday afternoon in Stabler Arena. Lehigh shot just 30 percent from the floor and didn't hit a three-pointer as the offense struggled for a second straight home game. The Mountain Hawks took care of the basketball, turning the ball over just seven times.
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"We worked relatively hard to put ourselves back in a position to win this contest," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "As we closed the gap, we had the basketball and a chance to pull closer, but then we had a rushed shot, off-balanced shots or quick shots. It's disappointing because it's some of the same things we talked about and addressed from our last game. It's a process that we have to grow through, to get the best shot for our team in those circumstances and today we didn't execute."
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Sophomore Tim Kempton posted his third double-double in the first four games, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Kahron Ross scored double-figure points for a second straight game, tallying 10 points to go with four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Junior Jesse Chuku also grabbed eight boards.
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Jeff Coby led Columbia with 16 points and 12 rebounds as the only Lions player with double-figure points.
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"I think we pressed and ended up getting tight. Because of that, the quality of our shots deteriorated a little bit," said Reed. "We had guys go solo to get their looks and opportunities. Some defensive lapses also played a major factor, particularly in the first half. When you fall behind by 16, it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your team to try and come back."
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A Ross layup pulled the Mountain Hawks within 10-7 with 13:49 left in the first half, but Columbia responded with a 17-4 run as a Maodo Lo layup gave the Lions a 27-11 lead with 8:21 on the clock.
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Trailing 29-15, Lehigh staged an 8-0 run which began and finished with Miles Simelton baskets, with Corey Schaefer and Justin Goldsborough layups in between. Simelton's layup with 2:09 left in the first half pulled Lehigh within 29-23. Columbia answered with a three on the next possession for the 32-23 advantage, which proved to be the halftime score.
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Kempton scored the first four points of the second half to pull Lehigh within 32-27 with 18:29 on the clock. Columbia eventually re-extended its lead to nine on several occasions and the Mountain Hawks couldn't pull any closer than six the rest of the way. A Kempton jumper made it 48-42 Lions, but Columbia had an answer. Sophomore Austin Price answered with a layup to pull within 50-42, but the Lions were 4-of-4 from the free throw line over the final 41 seconds for the 54-44 final.
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"Taking care of that basketball and having fewer unforced errors gives us a chance on offense," said Reed. "We had whittled away games just from turning the ball over and not having any sort of opportunity to convert. I think our rebounding marks have improved. Rebounding was a story in Columbia getting extra possessions early in the game to build its lead, but we made some adjustments."
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Lehigh shot 30 percent for the game (19-of-63) and did not hit a three-pointer (0-of-13). Columbia shot 38 percent (20-of-53) and 22 percent from long distance (6-of-27). The Lions won the battle of the boards, 47-40.
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"As we progressed, our discipline on defense for a full shot clock was something you can take some pride in," said Reed. "It's often challenging with a team that doesn't quick-shoot the basketball to maintain your focus for a full defensive shot clock. We were able to do that multiple times and that's something we can build from."
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Lehigh returns to action on Wednesday when the Mountain Hawks travel to Chicago to face DePaul. That game will tip at 8 p.m. ET and will air live nationally on Fox Sports 1.
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Team Stats
COL
LEHIGH
FG%
.377
.302
3FG%
.222
.000
FT%
.444
.600
RB
47
40
TO
14
7
STL
4
6
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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