Sunday, December 29
Princeton, N.J.
4 p.m.
Lehigh University
at
Princeton
Lehigh set to wrap up nonleague play at Princeton Sunday
12/27/2019 10:58:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a valiant effort at No. 9/12 Auburn last Saturday and a short holiday break, the Lehigh men's basketball team gets back to work on Sunday when it wraps up nonleague play at Princeton. Opening tipoff is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+. Both the Mountain Hawks and Tigers enter with identical 3-8 records, but each have played challenging schedules and have shown plenty of bright spots entering their respective league seasons. Sunday marks the fourth straight year Lehigh and Princeton will square off, with the Mountain Hawks winning each of the previous three seasons.
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Last time out, Lehigh gave Auburn a run for its money for the game's first 32+ minutes before the Tigers pulled away. The effort came against a program coming off a Final Four appearance, one of just four undefeated teams remaining in the nation (and the only one from a power conference). The Mountain Hawks jumped out to a 20-13 lead in the first half, but Lehigh went scoreless over the final 7:17 of the stanza and Auburn went on a 14-0 run to take a 27-20 halftime advantage. Despite the drought, the Mountain Hawks pulled within four in the second and seven (48-41) with 7:56 remaining, but Auburn ended the game on a 26-10 run to put Lehigh away for good.
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In the end, Lehigh's defense held the Tigers to their lowest point total for any half this season (27 in the first) and third lowest total for any game (74). Senior Jordan Cohen led the offense with 18 points, which was a team high and tied for a game high, and six assists. Fourteen of those points came in the second half, including his 1,000th career point, becoming the 38th player in program history to reach the milestone.
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Freshman Evan Taylor impressed on the big stage, posting 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. He also tied a career-high six rebounds. Junior James Karnik added 12 points and five boards. In the end, just five Mountain Hawks scored on Saturday. Sophomore Jeameril Wilson added six points (all in the first half) while senior Ed Porter converted a first-half field goal.
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The Mountain Hawks have now lost six straight, but five of them have been on the road. Lehigh has tested itself (and been extremely competitive) against some of the nation's best. As of Wednesday, the Mountain Hawks' strength of schedule according to Ken Pomeroy stood as the 21st toughest in the nation. Along with the Auburn defeat, the Mountain Hawks trailed reigning Sweet 16 team Virginia Tech by just five at the half, and trailed reigning NCAA Tournament team Saint Mary's by only two. In this recent stretch, Lehigh also dropped contests at Columbia and Saint Mary's that came down to the final seconds. The Mountain Hawks have faced five teams who already have nine or more wins.
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Sunday will give Lehigh an opportunity for a final tune-up before opening Patriot League play at Navy on Thursday, Jan. 2. The Mountain Hawks finally return home on Sunday, Jan. 5 vs. Loyola and for the first time all season, will have more games at home than on the road remaining.
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Princeton stands 3-8 on the season, but has won two of its last three and three of its last six. The Tigers' victories have come at Bucknell, at FDU and vs. Iona in overtime. Last time out, Princeton lost 87-72 against Hofstra on Thursday, Dec. 19. Jaelin Llewellyn leads the team offensively, averaging 15.9 points per game. He is followed by Richmond Aririguzoh, averaging 14.1 points along with a team-leading 8.5 rebounds per contest. Ryan Schwieger has missed several games, but has since returned to average 11.6. The Tigers are shooting 44.7 percent from the field, but allowing opponents to shoot 50.0 percent. Princeton is 66th nationally in fewest turnovers with 145.
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Lehigh has enjoyed impressive success against Princeton as of late, winning three straight and four of the last five. This came after Lehigh won just three of the first 32 meetings against the Tigers. The Mountain Hawks won in 2008 (68-49), 2016 (76-67) and 2017 (85-73), with a 73-64 defeat at Princeton in 2009 sandwiched in between. Lehigh's previous victory was during the 1929- 30 season (30-25) with the other Lehigh wins in 1925-26 (33-25) and 1920-21 (24-20). The first-ever meeting between the sides was in 1905-06, a 46-22 Princeton victory.
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Following Sunday's game, the Mountain Hawks will open Patriot League play on Thursday, Jan. 2 at Navy. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. Lehigh finally returns home on Sunday, Jan. 5 against Loyola at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online 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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Last time out, Lehigh gave Auburn a run for its money for the game's first 32+ minutes before the Tigers pulled away. The effort came against a program coming off a Final Four appearance, one of just four undefeated teams remaining in the nation (and the only one from a power conference). The Mountain Hawks jumped out to a 20-13 lead in the first half, but Lehigh went scoreless over the final 7:17 of the stanza and Auburn went on a 14-0 run to take a 27-20 halftime advantage. Despite the drought, the Mountain Hawks pulled within four in the second and seven (48-41) with 7:56 remaining, but Auburn ended the game on a 26-10 run to put Lehigh away for good.
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In the end, Lehigh's defense held the Tigers to their lowest point total for any half this season (27 in the first) and third lowest total for any game (74). Senior Jordan Cohen led the offense with 18 points, which was a team high and tied for a game high, and six assists. Fourteen of those points came in the second half, including his 1,000th career point, becoming the 38th player in program history to reach the milestone.
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Freshman Evan Taylor impressed on the big stage, posting 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. He also tied a career-high six rebounds. Junior James Karnik added 12 points and five boards. In the end, just five Mountain Hawks scored on Saturday. Sophomore Jeameril Wilson added six points (all in the first half) while senior Ed Porter converted a first-half field goal.
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The Mountain Hawks have now lost six straight, but five of them have been on the road. Lehigh has tested itself (and been extremely competitive) against some of the nation's best. As of Wednesday, the Mountain Hawks' strength of schedule according to Ken Pomeroy stood as the 21st toughest in the nation. Along with the Auburn defeat, the Mountain Hawks trailed reigning Sweet 16 team Virginia Tech by just five at the half, and trailed reigning NCAA Tournament team Saint Mary's by only two. In this recent stretch, Lehigh also dropped contests at Columbia and Saint Mary's that came down to the final seconds. The Mountain Hawks have faced five teams who already have nine or more wins.
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Sunday will give Lehigh an opportunity for a final tune-up before opening Patriot League play at Navy on Thursday, Jan. 2. The Mountain Hawks finally return home on Sunday, Jan. 5 vs. Loyola and for the first time all season, will have more games at home than on the road remaining.
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Princeton stands 3-8 on the season, but has won two of its last three and three of its last six. The Tigers' victories have come at Bucknell, at FDU and vs. Iona in overtime. Last time out, Princeton lost 87-72 against Hofstra on Thursday, Dec. 19. Jaelin Llewellyn leads the team offensively, averaging 15.9 points per game. He is followed by Richmond Aririguzoh, averaging 14.1 points along with a team-leading 8.5 rebounds per contest. Ryan Schwieger has missed several games, but has since returned to average 11.6. The Tigers are shooting 44.7 percent from the field, but allowing opponents to shoot 50.0 percent. Princeton is 66th nationally in fewest turnovers with 145.
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Lehigh has enjoyed impressive success against Princeton as of late, winning three straight and four of the last five. This came after Lehigh won just three of the first 32 meetings against the Tigers. The Mountain Hawks won in 2008 (68-49), 2016 (76-67) and 2017 (85-73), with a 73-64 defeat at Princeton in 2009 sandwiched in between. Lehigh's previous victory was during the 1929- 30 season (30-25) with the other Lehigh wins in 1925-26 (33-25) and 1920-21 (24-20). The first-ever meeting between the sides was in 1905-06, a 46-22 Princeton victory.
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Following Sunday's game, the Mountain Hawks will open Patriot League play on Thursday, Jan. 2 at Navy. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. Lehigh finally returns home on Sunday, Jan. 5 against Loyola at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online 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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| Date: | December 29, 2019 |
| Opponent: | Princeton Tigers |
| Tip-off: | 4 p.m. |
| Arena/Capacity: | Jadwin Gymnasium/6,854 |
| Location: | Princeton, N.J. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 3-8, 0-0 Patriot League  |
| Princeton's Record: | 3-8, 0-0 Ivy League |
| Series: | Princeton leads, 30-7 |
| Radio: | Princeton Radio |
| Television: | ESPN+ |
| Internet Video: | ESPN+ |
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