Tuesday, March 3
Bethlehem, Pa.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Loyola (First Round)
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh set to host Loyola in Patriot League First Round Tuesday night
3/2/2020 4:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – One of the hottest teams in the Patriot League, the eighth-seeded Lehigh men's basketball team will open the Patriot League Tournament on Tuesday when it hosts ninth-seeded Loyola in Stabler Arena. Opening tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks have won five of their last seven games overall, tied with Colgate and American for the best record in the league over the last seven games. The late-season surge helped Lehigh move into a tie for eighth place in the standings and earn a home game in the Patriot League Tournament for the 10th time in the last 11 years.
To purchase tickets, please click here. The first 200 students Tuesday night receive FREE admission courtesy of student auxiliary services.
The previous nine times, the Mountain Hawks earned a home game in the Patriot League Quarterfinals. This time, Lehigh will play in the first round of the tournament for the first time in program history. The Mountain Hawks are still set up in a strong spot and playing their best basketball, especially compared to where they were just a few weeks ago. Lehigh continued its February success, finishing the month 5-4. The Mountain Hawks are now 32-9 in the month dating back to 2016.
Saturday's 74-71 win at Loyola was also Lehigh's season-high third straight win (all in the span of six days). The Mountain Hawks defeated rival Bucknell Sunday, second-place Boston University Wednesday then a Loyola team Saturday that had won six of its previous eight. The Greyhounds were without the Patriot League's leading scorer Andrew Kostecka due to injury. The Mountain Hawks used a 10-0 first-half run to turn a 14-10 deficit into a 20-14 lead. Lehigh wouldn't trail the rest of the way. The lead eventually reached 14 in the second half before the Greyhounds responded and had a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer that was off the mark, giving Lehigh its second win at Loyola in its last three tries.
The Mountain Hawks won despite senior and leading scorer Jordan Cohen not scoring a point, due in large part to foul trouble. Junior James Karnik led the offense with a season-high 20 points (just one from tying a career high) and 12 rebounds for his second straight double-double, seventh this season and 14th in his career. Karnik added three big blocks as well. Classmate Marques Wilson stepped up with 15 points and eight assists while sophomore Jeameril Wilson tallied 18 points, eight boards and a career-high tying four assists. Freshman Evan Taylor was strong off the bench as well, recording nine points and six rebounds.
Lehigh will face Loyola in the Patriot League Tournament for the first time in program history. The Mountain Hawks have won at least one game in the league tournament in three of the last four years. If they make it four of five on Tuesday, they would travel to top-seeded and defending champion Colgate for a quarterfinal showdown Thursday night.
Loyola finished the regular season 15-16, 7-11 in Patriot League play. Despite a loss to Lehigh in the regular season finale, the Greyhounds have still won six of their last nine overall. Kostecka, who didn't play in Saturday's game due to injury suffered the previous game at Navy, is averaging 19.9 points and 5.2 boards. Santi Aldama, who didn't make his debut until several games into Patriot League play, has played in nine games (starting eight) and is averaging 14.3 points and 7.4 boards. Aldami, Cam Spencer (9.4 points per game) and Golden Dike (6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds) all made the All-Rookie team while Kostecka was named first team All-League. The Greyhounds feature the Patriot League's No. 2 scoring offense (73.3) and No. 9 scoring defense (74.7).
With its Saturday win at Loyola, the Mountain Hawks have won four of the last five against the Greyhounds to take a 12-11 lead in the all-time series. Loyola was the only team Lehigh swept the regular season series against, winning 78-71 at home then 74-71 this past Saturday. The Mountain Hawks have won two straight at home vs. the Greyhounds to snap a two-game losing streak in Stabler vs. Loyola. 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.
If the Mountain Hawks win on Tuesday, they would advance to the Patriot League Quarterfinals at top-seeded Colgate. That game would be played on Thursday night.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
To purchase tickets, please click here. The first 200 students Tuesday night receive FREE admission courtesy of student auxiliary services.
The previous nine times, the Mountain Hawks earned a home game in the Patriot League Quarterfinals. This time, Lehigh will play in the first round of the tournament for the first time in program history. The Mountain Hawks are still set up in a strong spot and playing their best basketball, especially compared to where they were just a few weeks ago. Lehigh continued its February success, finishing the month 5-4. The Mountain Hawks are now 32-9 in the month dating back to 2016.
Saturday's 74-71 win at Loyola was also Lehigh's season-high third straight win (all in the span of six days). The Mountain Hawks defeated rival Bucknell Sunday, second-place Boston University Wednesday then a Loyola team Saturday that had won six of its previous eight. The Greyhounds were without the Patriot League's leading scorer Andrew Kostecka due to injury. The Mountain Hawks used a 10-0 first-half run to turn a 14-10 deficit into a 20-14 lead. Lehigh wouldn't trail the rest of the way. The lead eventually reached 14 in the second half before the Greyhounds responded and had a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer that was off the mark, giving Lehigh its second win at Loyola in its last three tries.
The Mountain Hawks won despite senior and leading scorer Jordan Cohen not scoring a point, due in large part to foul trouble. Junior James Karnik led the offense with a season-high 20 points (just one from tying a career high) and 12 rebounds for his second straight double-double, seventh this season and 14th in his career. Karnik added three big blocks as well. Classmate Marques Wilson stepped up with 15 points and eight assists while sophomore Jeameril Wilson tallied 18 points, eight boards and a career-high tying four assists. Freshman Evan Taylor was strong off the bench as well, recording nine points and six rebounds.
Lehigh will face Loyola in the Patriot League Tournament for the first time in program history. The Mountain Hawks have won at least one game in the league tournament in three of the last four years. If they make it four of five on Tuesday, they would travel to top-seeded and defending champion Colgate for a quarterfinal showdown Thursday night.
Loyola finished the regular season 15-16, 7-11 in Patriot League play. Despite a loss to Lehigh in the regular season finale, the Greyhounds have still won six of their last nine overall. Kostecka, who didn't play in Saturday's game due to injury suffered the previous game at Navy, is averaging 19.9 points and 5.2 boards. Santi Aldama, who didn't make his debut until several games into Patriot League play, has played in nine games (starting eight) and is averaging 14.3 points and 7.4 boards. Aldami, Cam Spencer (9.4 points per game) and Golden Dike (6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds) all made the All-Rookie team while Kostecka was named first team All-League. The Greyhounds feature the Patriot League's No. 2 scoring offense (73.3) and No. 9 scoring defense (74.7).
With its Saturday win at Loyola, the Mountain Hawks have won four of the last five against the Greyhounds to take a 12-11 lead in the all-time series. Loyola was the only team Lehigh swept the regular season series against, winning 78-71 at home then 74-71 this past Saturday. The Mountain Hawks have won two straight at home vs. the Greyhounds to snap a two-game losing streak in Stabler vs. Loyola. 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.
If the Mountain Hawks win on Tuesday, they would advance to the Patriot League Quarterfinals at top-seeded Colgate. That game would be played on Thursday night.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | March 3, 2020 |
| Opponent: | Loyola Greyhounds |
| Tip-off: | 7 p.m. |
| Arena/Capacity: | Stabler Arena/5,600 |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 10-20, 7-11 Patriot League |
| Loyola's Record: | 15-16, 7-11 Patriot League |
| Series: | Lehigh leads, 12-11 |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 1230/1320 AM and 94.7 FM with Tom Fallon and Greg Falkenbach '72. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. |
| Television: | Service Electric 2 Sports |
| Internet Video: | Patriot League Network |
Players Mentioned
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