Saturday, February 8
2:00 PM
Lehigh University
13-12, 6-6PL
66
vs
52
Loyola
10-13, 5-7PL
1
2
F
Loyola Maryland
21
31
52
Lehigh
27
39
66
Mountain Hawks pick up wire-to-wire 66-52 win over Loyola
2/8/2014 5:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Sophomore Jesse Chuku scored Lehigh's first 10 points to spark the offense in the early going as Lehigh men's basketball never trailed in a 66-52 win over Loyola on Saturday afternoon in Stabler Arena. The win marks the Mountain Hawks' fifth in their last six games to improve to 13-12 overall and 6-6 in Patriot League play. Chuku finished with 15 points while freshman Tim Kempton had 14.
Â
"I think there was a formula for success out here on display tonight," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "We were able to rebound the basketball effectively. For a team that's been outrebounded many times, it's nice to be on the flip side of that. I think our defense and rebounding was key tonight, holding them to 33 percent from the floor and winning the battle of the boards, 45-30."
Â
Sophomore Justin Goldsborough and junior Stefan Cvrkalj posted nine points apiece. Goldsborough knocked down 2-of-5 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line while Cvrkalj was 2-of-4 from long range. Chuku knocked down 2-of-4 from three-point range, finishing 5-of-12 from the field.
Â
"The first 14 minutes of the game, Jesse was absolutely critical," said Reed. "He provided a huge offensive spark for us. He came out and played aggressively, which was really important. Fortunately for us, even though we missed a number of open shots, we were able to find a second waive through Justin Goldsborough and Tim Kempton through the end of the first half, giving us an interior presence when the perimeter shots weren't necessarily falling."
Â
Senior Mackey McKnight facilitated the offense with seven points, six assists and a career-high 10 rebounds. McKnight moved into third place in Patriot League history with 536 career assists.
Â
Chuku was the story in the early going, scoring Lehigh's first 10 points. A jumper and three-pointer made it 5-0 Mountain Hawks with 16:54 on the clock. A three from McKnight, assisted by Chuku, made it 13-6 while two Kempton free throws gave Lehigh a 15-6 lead with 11:43 remaining in the first half.
Â
The Greyhounds responded with an 8-0 run as a Nick Gorski layup pulled Loyola within 15-14, forcing a Lehigh timeout with 6:44 on the clock.
Â
Lehigh slowly extended its lead as it reached 25-18 following a Kempton layup with 2:32 left in the first half. The lead swelled to eight (27-19) with 55 seconds remaining, but a Jordan Latham dunk with 35 seconds to go made it 27-21 at the half.
Â
Loyola scored six of the first eight second-half points to pull within two (29-27) following a Latham layup. However, the Mountain Hawks answered with a 10-2 run, beginning with two Kempton free throws, followed by five straight Chuku points and a Cvrkalj three. That made it 39-29 Mountain Hawks with 13:27 remaining, forcing a Loyola timeout.
Â
The Greyhounds scored seven of the next 10 points to pull within six (42-36), but Lehigh answered with a 9-2 run which included five straight points from Goldsborough followed by a Shane Whitfield free throw to give Lehigh a 13-point, 51-38 lead with 7:42 on the clock.
Â
Lehigh's lead remained in double figures until 1:50 remaining when two Denzel Brito free throws made it 54-45. The Mountain Hawks answered to match their largest lead (14) following two McKnight free throws as they cruised to the 66-52 final.
Â
Lehigh shot 33 percent from the field (17-of-51) and 38 percent from three-point range (6-of-16). The Greyhounds finished at 33 percent (19-of-57) and 20 percent from long distance (3-of-15). The Mountain Hawks dominated in rebounds, 45-30.
Â
The Mountain Hawks hit the road again when they travel to American next Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. Lehigh returns home next Saturday (Feb. 15) to host Holy Cross at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online, including a print-at-home option, or by calling the ticket office at 610-7LU-GAME (610-758-4263).
Â
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Team Stats
LOY
LEHIGH
FG%
.333
.333
3FG%
.200
.375
FT%
.688
.867
RB
30
45
TO
11
14
STL
5
4
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, November 12
2025-20226 Lehigh Men's Basketball Season Preview
Thursday, October 30
Season Preview: Men's Basketball
Thursday, October 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, October 30
