Thursday, March 5
Hamilton, N.Y.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
11-21,7-11Patriot
70
at
83
Colgate (Quarterfinals)
24-8,14-4Patriot
1
2
F
Lehigh
31
39
70
Colgate
41
42
83
Feisty Mountain Hawks never quit, but ultimately fall at Colgate in quarterfinals, 83-70
3/5/2020 11:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HAMILTON, N.Y. – The eighth-seeded Lehigh men's basketball team fought back from deficits all night long, including a late 15-4 run that gave the Mountain Hawks a chance in the final minutes, but top-seeded Colgate scored the game's final seven points to beat the Mountain Hawks, 83-70 in the Patriot League Quarterfinals Thursday night at Cotterell Court. Jordan Cohen scored 18 of his game-high 23 points in the second half to essentially will Lehigh back into the game, as the senior finishes his career with 1,301 career points – good for 21st in program history.
The game was delayed at the start by approximately 30 minutes due to a rim issue that was addressed.
"Colgate is a good team," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the most of them tonight. In the first half, I thought we struggled on the interior which had been a strength for us going down the stretch of this season. It ended up stabilizing a little bit more in the second half, which opened up some plays for our guards. In the first half, whether it wasn't finishing or not giving ourselves the best opportunities, it seemed as if we had to manufacture plays with our guards. We got a little bit careless and turned it over, which opened up a Colgate run towards the end of the half."
After Lehigh trimmed an 11-point first-half deficit down to four, the Raiders ended the half with six straight points to take a 41-31 halftime advantage.
Colgate jumped out to an early 11-2 lead, but the Mountain Hawks immediately answered with a 9-1 run, seven of the points coming from sophomore Jeameril Wilson, to pull within 12-11 with 11:15 left in the first half.
The Raiders answered with a 12-2 run to go up, 24-13 following a Tucker Richardson 3-pointer. The margin continued to fluctuate from there, with Lehigh pulling within six then Colgate responding to go back up 11 (35-24). The Mountain Hawks followed with a 7-0 run, capped off by an Evan Taylor layup, to pull within 35-31, but that's as close as Lehigh would come all game, despite the efforts of Cohen that would followed.
Cohen's 23 points included shooting 5-of-9 from 3-point range.
"That kid's got a big heart," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "The game of basketball means a great deal to him. Tonight, he gave us a huge shot in our arm, which really gave us the life we needed.
"Jordan is a classy kid," Reed continued. "He represents Lehigh, our jersey and our university extremely well. He's a scholar and he's an excellent athlete. He's been a pleasure to coach."
Wilson continued his strong play, scoring 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting (10 coming in the first half). Sophomore Nic Lynch added 12 points and eight boards, 10 points coming after halftime.
The beginning of the second half was much like the first. Colgate went up by 13 on multiple occasions, but the Mountain Hawks hung around. Eventually, the Raiders' lead reached 17 after a Keegan Records 3-point play made the score 72-55 with 6:18 on the clock.
From there, Lehigh went on an 8-0 run capped off by two long Cohen 3-pointers, pulling the Mountain Hawks within 72-63 with 4:08 still remaining.
A few minutes later, Taylor hit a 3-pointer to make it a 15-4 run and pull Lehigh within 76-70 with 1:44 still on the clock.
But on the ensuing possessions, Nelly Cummings knocked down a 3-pointer to all but end the Mountain Hawks' hopes.
For the game, Lehigh shot 46.0 percent from the field (29-of-63) and 38.9 percent from 3-point range (7-of-18). Colgate finished at 49.2 percent (30-of-61) and 35.5 percent from long distance (11-of-31). Final rebounds were tied at 33. Lehigh committed 11 turnovers compared to eight for the Raiders.
After beginning the season 5-18, the Mountain Hawks responded in a big way. Even with Thursday's loss, they finished the year 6-3 over their final nine games. Included in that stretch were wins over three of the four Patriot League semifinal teams.
"These guys were a joy to show up with every single day," said Reed. "We enjoyed the journey of the season. They were open, they wanted to learn and they wanted to grow. As we progressed through the season, the team has rapidly improved. That's a testament to who they are and what they're about.
"Our upperclassmen set the tone by providing the right type of leadership model, but our young guys didn't come in with an ego," Reed continued. "They came in hungry and ready to learn. You don't get that all the time. What we're seeing is the promising development of a team throughout the course of a season. There's also promising development of each of these players. If this trend continues, and they stay true to what we're trying to help them grow and develop into, then we'll continue to be a better team moving forward."
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Gallery: (3/5/2020) Men's Basketball at Colgate, 3/5/20
The game was delayed at the start by approximately 30 minutes due to a rim issue that was addressed.
"Colgate is a good team," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the most of them tonight. In the first half, I thought we struggled on the interior which had been a strength for us going down the stretch of this season. It ended up stabilizing a little bit more in the second half, which opened up some plays for our guards. In the first half, whether it wasn't finishing or not giving ourselves the best opportunities, it seemed as if we had to manufacture plays with our guards. We got a little bit careless and turned it over, which opened up a Colgate run towards the end of the half."
After Lehigh trimmed an 11-point first-half deficit down to four, the Raiders ended the half with six straight points to take a 41-31 halftime advantage.
Colgate jumped out to an early 11-2 lead, but the Mountain Hawks immediately answered with a 9-1 run, seven of the points coming from sophomore Jeameril Wilson, to pull within 12-11 with 11:15 left in the first half.
Down nine early? Mountain Hawks post a 7-0 run just like THAT to pull right back in this one. Watch: https://t.co/WUw3LKqhd3 pic.twitter.com/Fr3hBY0H0t
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) March 6, 2020
The Raiders answered with a 12-2 run to go up, 24-13 following a Tucker Richardson 3-pointer. The margin continued to fluctuate from there, with Lehigh pulling within six then Colgate responding to go back up 11 (35-24). The Mountain Hawks followed with a 7-0 run, capped off by an Evan Taylor layup, to pull within 35-31, but that's as close as Lehigh would come all game, despite the efforts of Cohen that would followed.
Cohen's 23 points included shooting 5-of-9 from 3-point range.
"That kid's got a big heart," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "The game of basketball means a great deal to him. Tonight, he gave us a huge shot in our arm, which really gave us the life we needed.
"Jordan is a classy kid," Reed continued. "He represents Lehigh, our jersey and our university extremely well. He's a scholar and he's an excellent athlete. He's been a pleasure to coach."
Wilson continued his strong play, scoring 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting (10 coming in the first half). Sophomore Nic Lynch added 12 points and eight boards, 10 points coming after halftime.
The beginning of the second half was much like the first. Colgate went up by 13 on multiple occasions, but the Mountain Hawks hung around. Eventually, the Raiders' lead reached 17 after a Keegan Records 3-point play made the score 72-55 with 6:18 on the clock.
From there, Lehigh went on an 8-0 run capped off by two long Cohen 3-pointers, pulling the Mountain Hawks within 72-63 with 4:08 still remaining.
Here's the first of two consecutive Cohen treys, each were WELL beyond the arc. Watch: https://t.co/WUw3LKqhd3 pic.twitter.com/Yg3ffgTGra
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) March 6, 2020
JORDAN COHEN DOES NOT WANT THIS TO BE HIS LAST GAME IN A LEHIGH UNIFORM! Two LONG 3-pointers helps the Mountain Hawks trim a 17-point deficit down to nine with more than three minutes still remaining! Watch: https://t.co/WUw3LKqhd3 pic.twitter.com/uxmUc84Xqx
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) March 6, 2020
A few minutes later, Taylor hit a 3-pointer to make it a 15-4 run and pull Lehigh within 76-70 with 1:44 still on the clock.
This team has HEART. This Evan Taylor 3-pointer makes it a 15-4 Lehigh run and the Mountain Hawks are back to within two possessions! Watch: https://t.co/WUw3LKqhd3 pic.twitter.com/XAXU8z2W8q
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) March 6, 2020
But on the ensuing possessions, Nelly Cummings knocked down a 3-pointer to all but end the Mountain Hawks' hopes.
For the game, Lehigh shot 46.0 percent from the field (29-of-63) and 38.9 percent from 3-point range (7-of-18). Colgate finished at 49.2 percent (30-of-61) and 35.5 percent from long distance (11-of-31). Final rebounds were tied at 33. Lehigh committed 11 turnovers compared to eight for the Raiders.
After beginning the season 5-18, the Mountain Hawks responded in a big way. Even with Thursday's loss, they finished the year 6-3 over their final nine games. Included in that stretch were wins over three of the four Patriot League semifinal teams.
"These guys were a joy to show up with every single day," said Reed. "We enjoyed the journey of the season. They were open, they wanted to learn and they wanted to grow. As we progressed through the season, the team has rapidly improved. That's a testament to who they are and what they're about.
"Our upperclassmen set the tone by providing the right type of leadership model, but our young guys didn't come in with an ego," Reed continued. "They came in hungry and ready to learn. You don't get that all the time. What we're seeing is the promising development of a team throughout the course of a season. There's also promising development of each of these players. If this trend continues, and they stay true to what we're trying to help them grow and develop into, then we'll continue to be a better team moving forward."
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Team Stats
Lehigh
Colg
FG%
.460
.492
3FG%
.389
.355
FT%
1.000
.800
RB
33
33
TO
11
8
STL
2
9
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
8
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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