Saturday, February 3
Bethlehem, Pa.
2 p.m.
Lehigh University
10-13, 5-7PL
80
vs
75
Boston University
12-11, 8-4PL
1
2
F
Boston University
31
44
75
Lehigh
40
40
80
Lehigh picks up big 80-75 home win over Boston University for second straight win
2/3/2018 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - For a third straight game, the Lehigh men's basketball team shot better than 50 percent from three-point range as the Mountain Hawks rode that hot shooting to a big 80-75 win over Boston University on Saturday afternoon in Stabler Arena. Freshman Caleb Bennett led the charge, finishing with a career-high 23 points to nearly double his previous career high. Senior Kahron Ross added 18 points, 12 coming in the second half, including a long jumper with 1:04 remaining to put the Mountain Hawks (10-13, 5-7 Patriot League) up for good, on the way to their second straight victory.
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"I feel really good about being able to come out of here with a win," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "Boston University is a good team. On a night when they had guys making as many shots as they did, for us to be able to pick up a win is a testament to our energy and our intensity. Fortunately, we had a number of players step up and make some plays, which was often credit to the ball movement we had on offense."
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Bennett finished the afternoon shooting 8-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. He added five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Bennett scored 15 second-half points.
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"I'm so proud of Caleb," said Reed. "He's been working very hard and has always exhibited a good attitude. Tonight, his energy was terrific. He knocked down perimeter shots, which opened up his athleticism for driving finishes and even grabbing offensive rebounds. His defensive energy and taking up space on the other end of the floor helped, whether it was our zone or man-to-man defense."
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Sophomore Pat Andree was also in double figures, tallying 10 points and knocking down his only three-point attempt for the game. Freshman Shane Acoveno gave the Mountain Hawks a strong boost, scoring his first-career points and finishing with four to go with three rebounds in 12 minutes.
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Overall, Lehigh finished 11-of-19 from long distance, including 4-of-6 from Ross (tying a career high for made threes). The Mountain Hawks have knocked down double-digit threes in six consecutive games, shooting 49 percent in that stretch (70-of-142). Lehigh has exceeded 50 percent in three straight and are shooting 55 percent in that span (34-of-62).
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A tight start saw neither team lead by more than one possession until a Javante McCoy three-pointer gave the Terriers an 11-7 lead just over four minutes into the contest. Boston University's advantage eventually reached 19-14 midway through the first half, but the Mountain Hawks staged an 18-3 run, which included four three-pointers – two from Bennett, one from freshman Marques Wilson and a Ross trey which gave Lehigh a 32-22 lead with 5:01 remaining in the first half.
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The Terriers pulled within seven following two free throws in the final minute, but an Acoveno offensive rebound and layup in the final seconds gave Lehigh a 40-31 halftime advantage.
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Boston University began the second half with seven straight points, extending its run to 17-7 as a Tyler Scanlon trey gave the Terriers a 48-47 advantage with 14:44 remaining.
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The Mountain Hawks responded to take a three-point lead following four straight Bennett points, but an 8-0 Boston University run gave the Terriers a 63-55 lead with 9:44 on the clock.
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With less than seven minutes remaining, Ross knocked down a pair of threes in the span of 41 seconds to turn a six-point deficit into a 68-68 deadlock with 5:44 remaining, but a Bennett layup gave Lehigh a 70-68 lead with just over a minute to go. Boston University answered, going up three with 1:57 on the clock. However, jumpers from Bennett and Ross with 1:41 and 1:04 remaining, respectively, gave Lehigh a 76-75 lead, putting the Mountain Hawks up for good. Scanlon had an open three-point attempt with five seconds remaining, but it was off the mark.
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For the game, Lehigh shot 52 percent from the field (29-of-56), including 58 percent from three-point range (11-of-19). The Terriers finished at 47 percent (29-of-62) and 37 percent from long distance (11-of-30). Lehigh won the battle of the boards, 34-28.
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Lehigh remains home to host Bucknell this Monday night (Feb. 5). Opening tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Tickets are available and may be purchased online at LehighTickets.com by clicking here.
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Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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"I feel really good about being able to come out of here with a win," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "Boston University is a good team. On a night when they had guys making as many shots as they did, for us to be able to pick up a win is a testament to our energy and our intensity. Fortunately, we had a number of players step up and make some plays, which was often credit to the ball movement we had on offense."
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Bennett finished the afternoon shooting 8-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. He added five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Bennett scored 15 second-half points.
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"I'm so proud of Caleb," said Reed. "He's been working very hard and has always exhibited a good attitude. Tonight, his energy was terrific. He knocked down perimeter shots, which opened up his athleticism for driving finishes and even grabbing offensive rebounds. His defensive energy and taking up space on the other end of the floor helped, whether it was our zone or man-to-man defense."
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Sophomore Pat Andree was also in double figures, tallying 10 points and knocking down his only three-point attempt for the game. Freshman Shane Acoveno gave the Mountain Hawks a strong boost, scoring his first-career points and finishing with four to go with three rebounds in 12 minutes.
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Overall, Lehigh finished 11-of-19 from long distance, including 4-of-6 from Ross (tying a career high for made threes). The Mountain Hawks have knocked down double-digit threes in six consecutive games, shooting 49 percent in that stretch (70-of-142). Lehigh has exceeded 50 percent in three straight and are shooting 55 percent in that span (34-of-62).
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A tight start saw neither team lead by more than one possession until a Javante McCoy three-pointer gave the Terriers an 11-7 lead just over four minutes into the contest. Boston University's advantage eventually reached 19-14 midway through the first half, but the Mountain Hawks staged an 18-3 run, which included four three-pointers – two from Bennett, one from freshman Marques Wilson and a Ross trey which gave Lehigh a 32-22 lead with 5:01 remaining in the first half.
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The Terriers pulled within seven following two free throws in the final minute, but an Acoveno offensive rebound and layup in the final seconds gave Lehigh a 40-31 halftime advantage.
Â
Boston University began the second half with seven straight points, extending its run to 17-7 as a Tyler Scanlon trey gave the Terriers a 48-47 advantage with 14:44 remaining.
Â
The Mountain Hawks responded to take a three-point lead following four straight Bennett points, but an 8-0 Boston University run gave the Terriers a 63-55 lead with 9:44 on the clock.
Â
With less than seven minutes remaining, Ross knocked down a pair of threes in the span of 41 seconds to turn a six-point deficit into a 68-68 deadlock with 5:44 remaining, but a Bennett layup gave Lehigh a 70-68 lead with just over a minute to go. Boston University answered, going up three with 1:57 on the clock. However, jumpers from Bennett and Ross with 1:41 and 1:04 remaining, respectively, gave Lehigh a 76-75 lead, putting the Mountain Hawks up for good. Scanlon had an open three-point attempt with five seconds remaining, but it was off the mark.
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For the game, Lehigh shot 52 percent from the field (29-of-56), including 58 percent from three-point range (11-of-19). The Terriers finished at 47 percent (29-of-62) and 37 percent from long distance (11-of-30). Lehigh won the battle of the boards, 34-28.
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Lehigh remains home to host Bucknell this Monday night (Feb. 5). Opening tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Tickets are available and may be purchased online at LehighTickets.com by clicking here.
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Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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Team Stats
BOSTONU
LEHIGH
FG%
.468
.518
3FG%
.367
.579
FT%
.750
.917
RB
28
34
TO
10
14
STL
11
5
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
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