Lehigh University Athletics
Wednesday, January 16
Bethlehem, Pa.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
American
Mountain Hawks set to host American Wednesday night
1/15/2019 10:21:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's basketball team will look to bounce back from its first Patriot League loss of the season when it returns home to host American on Wednesday evening. Opening tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Despite Saturday's defeat at Colgate, the Mountain Hawks are off to a strong start in league play, with their 3-1 record tied for first place with Bucknell in the loss column (the team Lehigh will welcome to Stabler Arena on Saturday).
Wednesday is Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night as the first 50 season ticket holders will receive an autographed poster and mini basketball.
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Lehigh enjoyed a strong middle half of the game at Colgate, but fell victim to big Raider runs - 20-2 early in the first half and 26-6 over the latter half of the second. The Mountain Hawks trailed by 13 early, but freshman Nic Lynch scored 12 straight Lehigh points to keep his team close, then the Mountain Hawks ended the half on a 10-2 run to pull within 39-36 after 20 minutes. Lehigh then held multiple second-half leads, but never led by more than two. The Mountain Hawks scored just six points in the span of 7:48 after leading 60-59 and Colgate pulled away for the 91-78 victory.
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Lehigh continued to show balanced scoring, with seven players scoring between seven and 14 points. Junior Pat Andree led the way with 14 points, shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range. Classmate Jordan Cohen and Lynch each scored 12 while sophomore James Karnik had 10 points and eight boards, including four on the offensive glass. Lehigh's centers Lynch and Karnik combined for 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting, along with 14 rebounds. Sophomore Caleb Bennett emerged for eight second-half points, including a pair of threes that gave Lehigh leads at the time. Freshman Joe Foley posted career highs in points (7), rebounds (3) and assists (2) in just 5:55 off the bench.
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The loss snapped Lehigh's 11-game Patriot League (regular season) winning streak, marking its first league defeat since last Jan. 27 at home vs. Navy. The Mountain Hawks' last Patriot League loss on the road was Jan. 20 at Army West Point, nearly a full calendar year ago.
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Turnovers hurt Lehigh at Colgate, as the Mountain Hawks turned the ball over 15 times compared to just five for the Raiders. Three Raiders eclipsed 20 points. Despite it being a tough day overall, Lehigh continued its strong shooting, finishing at 51.6 percent from the field (32-of-62) and 45.0 percent from three-point range (9-of-20). The Mountain Hawks' season percentage of 46.5 percent from long distance (152-of-327) continues to lead the nation. Along with strong shooting from Andree, seniors Lance Tejada and Kyle Leufroy (who are a combined 112-of-235 on the season, 47.7 percent), Cohen has shot very well for long range. He's at 52.6 percent for the season (20-of-38), including 14 of his last 22 (63.6 percent).
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American has enjoyed a resurgent season, standing 8-7 on the season and 2-2 in Patriot League play, owning home wins over Boston University and Navy and road contests at Colgate and Bucknell. Among the Eagles' nonleague victories was a season-opening overtime win at Atlantic 10 foe George Mason. Preseason Patriot League Player of the Year Sa'eed Nelson leads American in scoring (19.1) while Sam Iorio comes in at 14.9 points and 7.0 rebounds. Mark Gasperini has scored 10.8 points per game while Larry Motuzis is averaging 7.3 and Stacy Beckton Jr. comes in at 7.0. American is ninth in the Patriot League in scoring (70.9), but is first in scoring defense (66.4) and first in scoring margin (+4.5).
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Lehigh has won seven straight games against American to pull even at 26 in the all-time series. The winning streak of seven is Lehigh's longest all-time vs. the Eagles. Five of the last eight games vs. American have come at Lehigh due to Patriot League Tournament games at Lehigh in 2015 and 2016. Last season, the Mountain Hawks beat American 76-66 at home behind a double-double from James Karnik and 19 points and nine rebounds from Pat Andree. Lehigh went on to win at American, 80-78 in overtime behind 30 points from Kahron Ross. Lehigh and American first played in 1960-61, a 71-61 American victory.
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After Wednesday night, the Mountain Hawks return home on Saturday to host Bucknell at 7 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader. The Lehigh women will host American at 4:30.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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Wednesday is Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night as the first 50 season ticket holders will receive an autographed poster and mini basketball.
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Back home this Wednesday vs. American for Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night! Opening tipoff is 7 p.m. Purchase your tickets, here: https://t.co/Ps4Iy0Li3V #GoLehigh #OneGoal pic.twitter.com/mt6cEPUx3u
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 14, 2019
Lehigh enjoyed a strong middle half of the game at Colgate, but fell victim to big Raider runs - 20-2 early in the first half and 26-6 over the latter half of the second. The Mountain Hawks trailed by 13 early, but freshman Nic Lynch scored 12 straight Lehigh points to keep his team close, then the Mountain Hawks ended the half on a 10-2 run to pull within 39-36 after 20 minutes. Lehigh then held multiple second-half leads, but never led by more than two. The Mountain Hawks scored just six points in the span of 7:48 after leading 60-59 and Colgate pulled away for the 91-78 victory.
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Lehigh continued to show balanced scoring, with seven players scoring between seven and 14 points. Junior Pat Andree led the way with 14 points, shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range. Classmate Jordan Cohen and Lynch each scored 12 while sophomore James Karnik had 10 points and eight boards, including four on the offensive glass. Lehigh's centers Lynch and Karnik combined for 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting, along with 14 rebounds. Sophomore Caleb Bennett emerged for eight second-half points, including a pair of threes that gave Lehigh leads at the time. Freshman Joe Foley posted career highs in points (7), rebounds (3) and assists (2) in just 5:55 off the bench.
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The loss snapped Lehigh's 11-game Patriot League (regular season) winning streak, marking its first league defeat since last Jan. 27 at home vs. Navy. The Mountain Hawks' last Patriot League loss on the road was Jan. 20 at Army West Point, nearly a full calendar year ago.
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Turnovers hurt Lehigh at Colgate, as the Mountain Hawks turned the ball over 15 times compared to just five for the Raiders. Three Raiders eclipsed 20 points. Despite it being a tough day overall, Lehigh continued its strong shooting, finishing at 51.6 percent from the field (32-of-62) and 45.0 percent from three-point range (9-of-20). The Mountain Hawks' season percentage of 46.5 percent from long distance (152-of-327) continues to lead the nation. Along with strong shooting from Andree, seniors Lance Tejada and Kyle Leufroy (who are a combined 112-of-235 on the season, 47.7 percent), Cohen has shot very well for long range. He's at 52.6 percent for the season (20-of-38), including 14 of his last 22 (63.6 percent).
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American has enjoyed a resurgent season, standing 8-7 on the season and 2-2 in Patriot League play, owning home wins over Boston University and Navy and road contests at Colgate and Bucknell. Among the Eagles' nonleague victories was a season-opening overtime win at Atlantic 10 foe George Mason. Preseason Patriot League Player of the Year Sa'eed Nelson leads American in scoring (19.1) while Sam Iorio comes in at 14.9 points and 7.0 rebounds. Mark Gasperini has scored 10.8 points per game while Larry Motuzis is averaging 7.3 and Stacy Beckton Jr. comes in at 7.0. American is ninth in the Patriot League in scoring (70.9), but is first in scoring defense (66.4) and first in scoring margin (+4.5).
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Lehigh has won seven straight games against American to pull even at 26 in the all-time series. The winning streak of seven is Lehigh's longest all-time vs. the Eagles. Five of the last eight games vs. American have come at Lehigh due to Patriot League Tournament games at Lehigh in 2015 and 2016. Last season, the Mountain Hawks beat American 76-66 at home behind a double-double from James Karnik and 19 points and nine rebounds from Pat Andree. Lehigh went on to win at American, 80-78 in overtime behind 30 points from Kahron Ross. Lehigh and American first played in 1960-61, a 71-61 American victory.
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After Wednesday night, the Mountain Hawks return home on Saturday to host Bucknell at 7 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader. The Lehigh women will host American at 4:30.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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| Date: | January 16, 2019 |
| Opponent: | American Eagles |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 PM |
| Arena/Capacity: | Stabler Arena/5,600 |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 10-5, 3-1 Patriot League  |
| American's Record: | 8-7, 2-2 Patriot League |
| Series: | Series tied, 26-26 |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Lehigh Valley 1230 and 1320 AM and Lehighsports.com with Tom Fallon and Greg Falkenbach '72. Pregame coverage gets underway at 6:30 p.m. |
| Television: | Service Electric Channel 50 |
| Internet Video: | Patriot League Network |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | American Official Website |
Players Mentioned
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