Saturday, January 26
Bethlehem, Pa.
2 p.m.
Lehigh University
13-6, 6-2PL
94
vs
78
Boston University
9-12, 2-6PL
1
2
F
Boston University
32
46
78
Lehigh
57
37
94
Big first half leads Lehigh past Boston University, 94-78
1/26/2019 5:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Behind a career-high 32 points from junior Jordan Cohen and career-high 21 from sophomore James Karnik, the Lehigh men's basketball team picked up an impressive 94-78 win over Boston University on Saturday afternoon in Stabler Arena. The Mountain Hawks (13-6, 6-2 Patriot League) scored a season-high 57 first-half points, shooting 79.3 percent from the field and finishing the contest at 67.3 percent, missing just 17 field goal attempts all game. The 67.3 percentage is the 13th best percentage by any team in the nation this season.
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"I thought we did a great job in the first half," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "We had a focus of trying to neutralize Max Mahoney a little bit. That was a big responsibility because he had come into the game being very efficient with a high scoring average and Boston University really counted on him. I thought James did an excellent job, particularly trying to limit his touches and when he did get them, our guys were in great help, which gave us the chance to get them on their heels. And then, our guys did a great job of being able to capitalize on mismatches and opportunities, to get hard drives, quick posts and even some dribble penetration out of the middle third of the floor. I thought the first half was terrific."
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Cohen's final line was impressive, converting 12-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. He added five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Cohen became the third Mountain Hawk to eclipse 30 points on the season (joining junior Pat Andree and senior Lance Tejada) and the first to score 30 in Stabler Arena since Tim Kempton had 36 on Jan. 8, 2017 vs. American. Karnik was 9-of-10 from the floor, adding eight rebounds.
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"Jordan did a great job for us," said Reed. "Being able to get him off on the very first possession with a score, with great body control. He used the glass at 2-3 feet. The next opportunity evolved for him to be able to drive and penetrate. From what I've known about Jordan, if he can get that confidence boost, it's amazing how much better he plays and how much more he attacks the game. He was trying to find his mark in the previous two games, but really stepped up in a big way, and was also very responsible for trying to neutralize the defensive strategy that Boston showed."
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Three other Mountain Hawks posted double-figure points, including seniors Tejada (12) and Kyle Leufroy (12), and Andree (10), who also added eight rebounds. Defensively, Lehigh held Boston University All-League forward Max Mahoney to seven points (which tied his season low).
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Lehigh jumped out to an early 9-0 lead as an Andree trey forced a Boston University timeout less than three minutes in.Â
From there, the Mountain Hawks continued to tack onto their lead, with it reaching 15-2 after two Teejada free throws. After the Terriers pulled within 21-10, Leufroy scored six straight points as his three-point play gave Lehigh a 27-10 advantage with 12:39 on the clock.
The Mountain Hawks' lead reached 20 for the first time following a Tejada three-point play, which made the score 40-20 with 6:18 left in the first. Lehigh ended the half on a 5-0 run, all five points scored by Cohen. His fourth trey of the stanza gave the Mountain Hawks a 57-32 halftime advantage. Cohen finished the first half 8-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-4 from three-point range.
A Nic Lynch three-point play gave Lehigh its largest lead at 71-43 with 13:59 left in the second half. The Terriers slowly chipped away from there, pulling as close as 80-71 with just over five minutes remaining. Lehigh responded as Cohen scored 10 points over the game's final 5:28 to erase any doubt in the 94-78 victory.
The Mountain Hawks finished 67.3 percent from the field (35-of-52), including 44.4 percent from three-point range (8-of-18). The Terriers shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62) and 23.5 percent from distance (4-of-17). Lehigh won the battle of the boards, 32-23.
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The Mountain Hawks are now set to travel to rival Lafayette next Wednesday to face the Leopards at 8:30 p.m.
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Lehigh Men's Basketball held its opponent to under 45 percent shooting. Fans in attendance received a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees courtesy of The Brick in Bethlehem.
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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 thought we did a great job in the first half," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "We had a focus of trying to neutralize Max Mahoney a little bit. That was a big responsibility because he had come into the game being very efficient with a high scoring average and Boston University really counted on him. I thought James did an excellent job, particularly trying to limit his touches and when he did get them, our guys were in great help, which gave us the chance to get them on their heels. And then, our guys did a great job of being able to capitalize on mismatches and opportunities, to get hard drives, quick posts and even some dribble penetration out of the middle third of the floor. I thought the first half was terrific."
Â
Cohen's final line was impressive, converting 12-of-14 field goals, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. He added five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Cohen became the third Mountain Hawk to eclipse 30 points on the season (joining junior Pat Andree and senior Lance Tejada) and the first to score 30 in Stabler Arena since Tim Kempton had 36 on Jan. 8, 2017 vs. American. Karnik was 9-of-10 from the floor, adding eight rebounds.
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"Jordan did a great job for us," said Reed. "Being able to get him off on the very first possession with a score, with great body control. He used the glass at 2-3 feet. The next opportunity evolved for him to be able to drive and penetrate. From what I've known about Jordan, if he can get that confidence boost, it's amazing how much better he plays and how much more he attacks the game. He was trying to find his mark in the previous two games, but really stepped up in a big way, and was also very responsible for trying to neutralize the defensive strategy that Boston showed."
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Three other Mountain Hawks posted double-figure points, including seniors Tejada (12) and Kyle Leufroy (12), and Andree (10), who also added eight rebounds. Defensively, Lehigh held Boston University All-League forward Max Mahoney to seven points (which tied his season low).
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Lehigh jumped out to an early 9-0 lead as an Andree trey forced a Boston University timeout less than three minutes in.Â
ÂWHAT A START! This Andree three gives Lehigh a 9-0 forcing a Boston U timeout less than three minutes in. Watch: https://t.co/WUw3LK8FOt. pic.twitter.com/hypj1SU1ZA
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 26, 2019
From there, the Mountain Hawks continued to tack onto their lead, with it reaching 15-2 after two Teejada free throws. After the Terriers pulled within 21-10, Leufroy scored six straight points as his three-point play gave Lehigh a 27-10 advantage with 12:39 on the clock.
ÂTough AND ONE finish for Kyle. Watch: https://t.co/WUw3LK8FOt. pic.twitter.com/wuxTpclcDi
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 26, 2019
The Mountain Hawks' lead reached 20 for the first time following a Tejada three-point play, which made the score 40-20 with 6:18 left in the first. Lehigh ended the half on a 5-0 run, all five points scored by Cohen. His fourth trey of the stanza gave the Mountain Hawks a 57-32 halftime advantage. Cohen finished the first half 8-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-4 from three-point range.
ÂHAVE A HALF, JORDAN COHEN! 8-of-8 from the field, 4-of-4 from three. 20 points to help Lehigh to a 57-32 halftime advantage. pic.twitter.com/Moa7WZXCU6
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 26, 2019
A Nic Lynch three-point play gave Lehigh its largest lead at 71-43 with 13:59 left in the second half. The Terriers slowly chipped away from there, pulling as close as 80-71 with just over five minutes remaining. Lehigh responded as Cohen scored 10 points over the game's final 5:28 to erase any doubt in the 94-78 victory.
ÂJordan Cohen, it's your day! Up to a career-high 28 points. #GoLehigh #OneGoal pic.twitter.com/esEBJFou7b
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 26, 2019
The Mountain Hawks finished 67.3 percent from the field (35-of-52), including 44.4 percent from three-point range (8-of-18). The Terriers shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62) and 23.5 percent from distance (4-of-17). Lehigh won the battle of the boards, 32-23.
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The Mountain Hawks are now set to travel to rival Lafayette next Wednesday to face the Leopards at 8:30 p.m.
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Lehigh Men's Basketball held its opponent to under 45 percent shooting. Fans in attendance received a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees courtesy of The Brick in Bethlehem.
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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%
.435
.673
3FG%
.235
.444
FT%
.870
.842
RB
23
32
TO
9
16
STL
9
1
Game Leaders
Pts
32
FGM
12
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
21
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
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