Saturday, February 29
Baltimore, Md.
5 p.m.
Lehigh University
at
Loyola
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh heads to Loyola Saturday for meaningful regular season finale
2/27/2020 4:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Riding high after four win in its last six games, the Lehigh men's basketball team has a lot to play for in its regular season finale at Loyola Saturday. With a win, the Mountain Hawks would earn the No. 8 seed, and a home game, in the opening round of the Patriot League Tournament next Tuesday (Mar. 3). A loss would mean Lehigh is the No. 9 seed and on the road. Opening tipoff on Saturday against the Greyhounds is set for 5 p.m. on the Patriot League Network.
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If the Mountain Hawks win, they would host the same Greyhounds on Tuesday. If Lehigh falls, it would travel to Loyola, Bucknell or Navy (depending on additional out-of-town games). The Mountain Hawks defeated Loyola in the first meeting so a win would give Lehigh the season series and the tiebreaker.
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Last time out, Lehigh picked up arguably its best win of the season as the Mountain Hawks topped second-place Boston University, who owns 17 victories. A defensive battle saw Lehigh win despite shooting just 38.1 percent from the field. On the other end, the Mountain Hawks held the Terriers to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (20-of-70), which marked Boston University's lowest percentage of the season. The Terriers were 0-of-9 in overtime while the Mountain Hawks were 1-of-5, as Lehigh held a 4-2 edge in the extra session. Sophomore Jeameril Wilson converted the only field goal and also had the biggest defensive play of overtime. With 10 seconds on the clock and Lehigh up by just one, he blocked Terriers' leading scorer Max Mahoney at the rim.
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Wilson finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for his second-career double-double (both in the last six games). Junior James Karnik also had 12 points and 11 boards for his fifth double-double of the season (and first since Dec. 4 at Saint Francis Pa.). It marked the first time since Feb. 21, 2016 vs. Lafayette that two Mountain Hawks recorded double-doubles (Tim Kempton had 16 points and 15 rebounds while Kahron Ross recorded 11 points and 12 assists).
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Senior Jordan Cohen scored a team-high 14 points, 13 coming after halftime including nine in Lehigh's 17-4 run to begin the second half - which turned a seven-point deficit into a six-point lead. Cohen moved to 1,368 career points, passing Zahir Carrington for 21st in program history. Wednesday marked the first time this season the Mountain Hawks have won when trailing at halftime.
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Defense was the big story as Lehigh contained Mahoney, holding him to 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting, this after 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting in the first meeting. The Mountain Hawks trailed by 10 late in the first half, but pulled to within seven at the half. The second half saw four ties and four lead changes. Freshman Evan Taylor played an important role Wednesday as well, finishing with seven points and seven rebounds. As a team, the Mountain Hawks held a 50-47 edge on the glass. It was a season high for rebounds and most for Lehigh since 52 on Feb. 17, 2018 against Army West Point.
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Loyola stands 15-15 on the season, 7-10 in Patriot League play. The Greyhounds have won six of their last eight overall, but most recently fell at Navy by a 62-57 final. The Patriot League's leading scorer Andrew Kostecka did leave the game due to injury and didn't return. Kostecka is averaging 19.9 points and 5.2 boards. Santi Aldama, who didn't make his debut until Patriot League play, has played in eight games (starting seven) and is averaging 13.6 points and 7.4 boards. Isaiah Hart comes in at 9.4 points per game while Cam Spencer is averaging 9.2. The Greyhounds feature the Patriot League's No. 2 scoring offense (73.4) and No. 9 scoring defense (74.7).
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Lehigh has won three of the last four vs. Loyola, including a 78-71 win this January. That pulled the Mountain Hawks even at 11 in the all-time series. The last time the teams played at Loyola, the Greyhounds picked up a 92-73 victory. The two prior meetings saw Lehigh win 89-72 (Jan. 6, 2019) and 80-74 (Feb. 21, 2018. Prior to meeting as Patriot League opponents, the teams previously played on Nov. 26, 1988, an 86-72 Lehigh victory. The sides first met in 1912-13, a 41-19 Lehigh victory. Loyola's first win was in 1915-16 by a 35-15 final.
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Following Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks will play in the Patriot League opening round on Tuesday, Mar. 3. If Lehigh wins Saturday, it would host the game in Stabler Arena at 7 p.m. If the Mountain Hawks lose, they would travel to Loyola, Bucknell or Navy.
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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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If the Mountain Hawks win, they would host the same Greyhounds on Tuesday. If Lehigh falls, it would travel to Loyola, Bucknell or Navy (depending on additional out-of-town games). The Mountain Hawks defeated Loyola in the first meeting so a win would give Lehigh the season series and the tiebreaker.
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Last time out, Lehigh picked up arguably its best win of the season as the Mountain Hawks topped second-place Boston University, who owns 17 victories. A defensive battle saw Lehigh win despite shooting just 38.1 percent from the field. On the other end, the Mountain Hawks held the Terriers to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (20-of-70), which marked Boston University's lowest percentage of the season. The Terriers were 0-of-9 in overtime while the Mountain Hawks were 1-of-5, as Lehigh held a 4-2 edge in the extra session. Sophomore Jeameril Wilson converted the only field goal and also had the biggest defensive play of overtime. With 10 seconds on the clock and Lehigh up by just one, he blocked Terriers' leading scorer Max Mahoney at the rim.
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Wilson finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for his second-career double-double (both in the last six games). Junior James Karnik also had 12 points and 11 boards for his fifth double-double of the season (and first since Dec. 4 at Saint Francis Pa.). It marked the first time since Feb. 21, 2016 vs. Lafayette that two Mountain Hawks recorded double-doubles (Tim Kempton had 16 points and 15 rebounds while Kahron Ross recorded 11 points and 12 assists).
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Senior Jordan Cohen scored a team-high 14 points, 13 coming after halftime including nine in Lehigh's 17-4 run to begin the second half - which turned a seven-point deficit into a six-point lead. Cohen moved to 1,368 career points, passing Zahir Carrington for 21st in program history. Wednesday marked the first time this season the Mountain Hawks have won when trailing at halftime.
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Defense was the big story as Lehigh contained Mahoney, holding him to 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting, this after 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting in the first meeting. The Mountain Hawks trailed by 10 late in the first half, but pulled to within seven at the half. The second half saw four ties and four lead changes. Freshman Evan Taylor played an important role Wednesday as well, finishing with seven points and seven rebounds. As a team, the Mountain Hawks held a 50-47 edge on the glass. It was a season high for rebounds and most for Lehigh since 52 on Feb. 17, 2018 against Army West Point.
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Loyola stands 15-15 on the season, 7-10 in Patriot League play. The Greyhounds have won six of their last eight overall, but most recently fell at Navy by a 62-57 final. The Patriot League's leading scorer Andrew Kostecka did leave the game due to injury and didn't return. Kostecka is averaging 19.9 points and 5.2 boards. Santi Aldama, who didn't make his debut until Patriot League play, has played in eight games (starting seven) and is averaging 13.6 points and 7.4 boards. Isaiah Hart comes in at 9.4 points per game while Cam Spencer is averaging 9.2. The Greyhounds feature the Patriot League's No. 2 scoring offense (73.4) and No. 9 scoring defense (74.7).
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Lehigh has won three of the last four vs. Loyola, including a 78-71 win this January. That pulled the Mountain Hawks even at 11 in the all-time series. The last time the teams played at Loyola, the Greyhounds picked up a 92-73 victory. The two prior meetings saw Lehigh win 89-72 (Jan. 6, 2019) and 80-74 (Feb. 21, 2018. Prior to meeting as Patriot League opponents, the teams previously played on Nov. 26, 1988, an 86-72 Lehigh victory. The sides first met in 1912-13, a 41-19 Lehigh victory. Loyola's first win was in 1915-16 by a 35-15 final.
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Following Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks will play in the Patriot League opening round on Tuesday, Mar. 3. If Lehigh wins Saturday, it would host the game in Stabler Arena at 7 p.m. If the Mountain Hawks lose, they would travel to Loyola, Bucknell or Navy.
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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: | February 29, 2020 |
| Opponent: | Loyola Greyhounds |
| Tip-off: | 5 p.m. |
| Arena/Capacity: | Reitz Arena/2,100 |
| Location: | Baltimore, Md. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 9-20, 6-11 Patriot League  |
| Loyola's Record: | 15-15, 7-10 Patriot League |
| Series: | Tied, 11-11 |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 1230/1320 AM and 94.7 FM with Tom Fallon. Pregame coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. |
| Television: | Patriot League Network |
| Internet Video:Â | Patriot League Network |
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