Saturday, November 23
Moraga, Calif.
8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. locally)
Lehigh University
at
Saint Mary's
Lehigh set for quick turnaround, at WCC power Saint Mary’s Saturday
11/22/2019 11:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's basketball team wraps up its two-game swing West with a Saturday showdown at defending West Coast Conference Tournament champion Saint Mary's. Opening tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. locally in California) on the WCC Network. Saturday will mark the Mountain Hawks' second game in 48 hours, following a 74-58 defeat at Drake Thursday.
Saturday will be Lehigh's first game in California since current senior Jordan Cohen's sophomore season at Southern Cal (Nov. 22, 2017). It's also the first-ever contest between Lehigh and Saint Mary's. The Gaels have been a perennial WCC contender, last season knocking off Gonzaga in the conference title game. They began this season in the preseason top 25 in both the coaches and media polls. Saint Mary's has reached the NCAA Round of 32 as recently as 2017 and Sweet 16 in 2010.
Last time out, Lehigh enjoyed a strong start at Drake, leading 19-11 at one point and also 33-32, but the Bulldogs ended the first half on an 8-0 run and wouldn't look back. The Mountain Hawks had just three first-half turnovers, but 10 in the second half to help Drake extend its advantage as the defending Missouri Valley Conference regular season champs, who won 24 games last season, finished off the 74-58 victory.
Lehigh was led offensively by junior James Karnik, who recorded 14 points and seven rebounds, knocking down 6-of-9 from the field. Playing in front a large contingent of friends and family who live in Iowa, junior Marques Wilson had nine points, four rebounds and a career-high tying three steals. Freshman Jakob Alamudun was strong, tallying eight points (seven in the first half), three rebounds and two assists.
The Mountain Hawks' defense was feisty, despite Drake shooting 54.7 percent from the field. Lehigh forced 18 turnovers, recording 11 steals (its second straight game with 10+ steals). The Mountain Hawks also had four blocks, two from freshman Reed Fenton. Lehigh held Drake more than five points below its scoring average entering the day.
Saturday will mark the fifth different (current) member of the WCC that Lehigh will play. The program is 1-5 all-time vs. those schools (1-0 vs. Portland, 0-1 vs. Loyola Marymount, 0-1 vs. Pepperdine and 0-3 vs. San Diego). The win over Portland came on Dec. 29, 2001.
Saint Mary's entered the season in the top 25 and stood there until a 61-59 defeat against Winthrop. The Gaels followed with wins over Long Beach State, Cal Poly and Fresno State on Wednesday, improving to 4-1 on the year. Last season, Saint Mary's topped Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference Championship Game to make it back to the NCAA Tournament where the program has been a mainstay. Saint Mary's advanced to the Round of 32 in 2017 and Sweet 16 in 2010. The Gaels are an experienced team, with four of its five starters last time out being juniors or seniors. Jordan Ford leads the offense, averaging 20.6 points per game. He's followed by Malik Fitts (13.0) and Tanner Krebs (10.4).
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the Mountain Hawks travel to Columbia on Saturday to face the Lions. Gametime is set for 4 p.m.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Saturday will be Lehigh's first game in California since current senior Jordan Cohen's sophomore season at Southern Cal (Nov. 22, 2017). It's also the first-ever contest between Lehigh and Saint Mary's. The Gaels have been a perennial WCC contender, last season knocking off Gonzaga in the conference title game. They began this season in the preseason top 25 in both the coaches and media polls. Saint Mary's has reached the NCAA Round of 32 as recently as 2017 and Sweet 16 in 2010.
Last time out, Lehigh enjoyed a strong start at Drake, leading 19-11 at one point and also 33-32, but the Bulldogs ended the first half on an 8-0 run and wouldn't look back. The Mountain Hawks had just three first-half turnovers, but 10 in the second half to help Drake extend its advantage as the defending Missouri Valley Conference regular season champs, who won 24 games last season, finished off the 74-58 victory.
Lehigh was led offensively by junior James Karnik, who recorded 14 points and seven rebounds, knocking down 6-of-9 from the field. Playing in front a large contingent of friends and family who live in Iowa, junior Marques Wilson had nine points, four rebounds and a career-high tying three steals. Freshman Jakob Alamudun was strong, tallying eight points (seven in the first half), three rebounds and two assists.
The Mountain Hawks' defense was feisty, despite Drake shooting 54.7 percent from the field. Lehigh forced 18 turnovers, recording 11 steals (its second straight game with 10+ steals). The Mountain Hawks also had four blocks, two from freshman Reed Fenton. Lehigh held Drake more than five points below its scoring average entering the day.
Saturday will mark the fifth different (current) member of the WCC that Lehigh will play. The program is 1-5 all-time vs. those schools (1-0 vs. Portland, 0-1 vs. Loyola Marymount, 0-1 vs. Pepperdine and 0-3 vs. San Diego). The win over Portland came on Dec. 29, 2001.
Saint Mary's entered the season in the top 25 and stood there until a 61-59 defeat against Winthrop. The Gaels followed with wins over Long Beach State, Cal Poly and Fresno State on Wednesday, improving to 4-1 on the year. Last season, Saint Mary's topped Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference Championship Game to make it back to the NCAA Tournament where the program has been a mainstay. Saint Mary's advanced to the Round of 32 in 2017 and Sweet 16 in 2010. The Gaels are an experienced team, with four of its five starters last time out being juniors or seniors. Jordan Ford leads the offense, averaging 20.6 points per game. He's followed by Malik Fitts (13.0) and Tanner Krebs (10.4).
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the Mountain Hawks travel to Columbia on Saturday to face the Lions. Gametime is set for 4 p.m.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | November 23, 2019 |
| Opponent: | Saint Mary's Gaels |
| Tip-off: | 8 PM ET (5 PM locally) |
| Arena/Capacity: | McKeon Pavilion/3,500 |
| Location: | Moraga, Calif. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 3-3, 0-0 Patriot League |
| Saint Mary's Record: | 4-1, 0-0 West Coast Conference |
| Series: | First Meeting |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 1230/1320 AM and 94.7 FM with Tom Fallon. Pregame coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Television: | WCC Network (Online) |
| Internet Video: | WCC Network |
| Behind Enemy Lines: | Saint Mary's Official Website |
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