Saturday, January 2
Bethlehem, Pa.
2 p.m.
Lehigh University
1-0,1-0Patriot
90
vs
89
Lafayette
0-1,0-1Patriot
1
2
OT 1
F
Lafayette
45
34
10
89
Lehigh
39
40
11
90
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Wilson Begins Senior Season With Thrilling Overtime Buzzer Beater vs. Lafayette
1/2/2021 6:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Senior Marques Wilson knocked down a long 3-pointer as time expired in overtime to give the Lehigh men's basketball team a thrilling 90-89 overtime win over archrival Lafayette in the season opener for both squads – and first Lehigh Athletics action in nearly 10 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic – on Saturday afternoon in Stabler Arena. Wilson finished with 28 points to tie a career high, 23 of the points coming after halftime. Junior Nic Lynch scored 15 of his 22 points in the first half while sophomore Jakob Alamudun was stellar, recording 13 points and 11 rebounds for his second-career double-double.
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"I knew I was supposed to get the ball, but they had defended a similar play earlier pretty well so I didn't know if I was going to be open," said Wilson. "Reed (Fenton) threw it to me, I turned around and knew I just had to get a shot up. I let it fly and it felt good leaving my hands.
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"A shot like that… you never expect it," Wilson continued. "You dream about it as a kid, but you never expect it to fall. When I hit it, I was honestly terrified because I knew my team was about to clobber me. That feeling was incredible; I'm so happy we got the win. To get our first win in such a way, I can't even put it into words."
Lafayette's E.J. Stephens got the roll on a shot with two seconds remaining in overtime to give Lafayette an 89-87 lead. After a timeout, Wilson came through with Lehigh's first buzzer beater since Mackey McKnight in 2014 at Boston University.
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"I have to give our guys a great deal of credit for keeping their heads up," said Reed. "It was disappointing going into that possession when I thought we had a chance to hold onto a lead. Fortunately, we ended up making a pinpoint pass. Marques was very decisive, he went strong and quickly to the basket and didn't waste any time. As soon as he got that clean look, it got out of his hands and looked like it was good all the way."
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Wilson also helped propel the Mountain Hawks with a run late in the second half. Down 66-58, Lehigh went on a 14-1 run, with Wilson scoring 12 of those points – all in the span of 2:47. A Wilson 3-pointer gave Lehigh a 68-67 advantage with 6:36 on the clock while a layup with 5:46 remaining put the Mountain Hawks ahead, 72-67.
Not to be forgotten, Wilson knocked down the game-tying shot with 25 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime tied at 79.
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"We actually had a different combination out on the floor in the second half when we made a pretty important run," said Reed. "We did it with a lot of defensive energy. We ended up getting a few more stops in that stretch. Sometimes, it's easy for a team, particularly a younger team, to make a little bit of a run when they're making shots. The fact they were able to make a run that was a little bit more predicated on defense was really, really important and valuable."
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Freshman Dominic Parolin was strong with eight points on 3-of-3 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.
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"Our center position gave us very good minutes with Nic's production, particularly in the first half, then Domnic gave us some excellent minutes in the second half once he got settled in," said Reed. "He was part of the unit that ended up giving us a really nice spark."
The first half saw Lafayette lead for much of the stanza, but the Mountain Hawks wouldn't go away. Lehigh remained within two possessions until a Stephens 3-pointer with 9:27 on the clock. The Leopards' lead reached as much as eight, but Alamudun ended a strong first half with a 3-point play in the final minute. Lafayette led at the half, 45-39.
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For the game, Lehigh shot 50.7 percent from the field (35-of-69), including 50.0 percent from 3-point range (4-of-8). Lafayette finished at 43.1 percent (31-of-72) and 30.0 percent from long distance (6-of-20). The Mountain Hawks held a 45-40 edge in rebounds.
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Lehigh found a way to win despite a combined 67 points from seniors Justin Jaworski (37) and E.J. Stephens (30).
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"It's surreal," said Wilson. "If you would have told me this morning or anytime this week that not only would we get a win, but this is how we'd win, I would have laughed at you. It's Le-Laf, crazy things happen in these games and now our team gets to be a part of the history and storied tradition."
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Lehigh and Lafayette will square off once again in 24 hours as the Mountain Hawks travel to Easton for a 4 p.m. showdown on CBS Sports Network.
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Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
ÂGallery: (1-2-2021) Men's Basketball vs. Lafayette, 1/2/21
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"I knew I was supposed to get the ball, but they had defended a similar play earlier pretty well so I didn't know if I was going to be open," said Wilson. "Reed (Fenton) threw it to me, I turned around and knew I just had to get a shot up. I let it fly and it felt good leaving my hands.
Â
"A shot like that… you never expect it," Wilson continued. "You dream about it as a kid, but you never expect it to fall. When I hit it, I was honestly terrified because I knew my team was about to clobber me. That feeling was incredible; I'm so happy we got the win. To get our first win in such a way, I can't even put it into words."
ÂA court-side look at Marques Wilson's game-winner! #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/Q5kT1OUfSz
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 2, 2021
Lafayette's E.J. Stephens got the roll on a shot with two seconds remaining in overtime to give Lafayette an 89-87 lead. After a timeout, Wilson came through with Lehigh's first buzzer beater since Mackey McKnight in 2014 at Boston University.
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"I have to give our guys a great deal of credit for keeping their heads up," said Reed. "It was disappointing going into that possession when I thought we had a chance to hold onto a lead. Fortunately, we ended up making a pinpoint pass. Marques was very decisive, he went strong and quickly to the basket and didn't waste any time. As soon as he got that clean look, it got out of his hands and looked like it was good all the way."
Â
Wilson also helped propel the Mountain Hawks with a run late in the second half. Down 66-58, Lehigh went on a 14-1 run, with Wilson scoring 12 of those points – all in the span of 2:47. A Wilson 3-pointer gave Lehigh a 68-67 advantage with 6:36 on the clock while a layup with 5:46 remaining put the Mountain Hawks ahead, 72-67.
ÂMountain Hawks making a BIGGG run as this Marques trey gives Lehigh the lead!!!
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 2, 2021
Watch on ESPN+ https://t.co/xQdahCQi5b pic.twitter.com/xnBBIP7ZMA
Not to be forgotten, Wilson knocked down the game-tying shot with 25 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime tied at 79.
Â
"We actually had a different combination out on the floor in the second half when we made a pretty important run," said Reed. "We did it with a lot of defensive energy. We ended up getting a few more stops in that stretch. Sometimes, it's easy for a team, particularly a younger team, to make a little bit of a run when they're making shots. The fact they were able to make a run that was a little bit more predicated on defense was really, really important and valuable."
Â
Freshman Dominic Parolin was strong with eight points on 3-of-3 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.
Â
"Our center position gave us very good minutes with Nic's production, particularly in the first half, then Domnic gave us some excellent minutes in the second half once he got settled in," said Reed. "He was part of the unit that ended up giving us a really nice spark."
Â.@Niclynch44 says NOT TODAY 🚫
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 2, 2021
Watch on ESPN+ https://t.co/xQdahCQi5b pic.twitter.com/xdq7emyjWu
The first half saw Lafayette lead for much of the stanza, but the Mountain Hawks wouldn't go away. Lehigh remained within two possessions until a Stephens 3-pointer with 9:27 on the clock. The Leopards' lead reached as much as eight, but Alamudun ended a strong first half with a 3-point play in the final minute. Lafayette led at the half, 45-39.
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For the game, Lehigh shot 50.7 percent from the field (35-of-69), including 50.0 percent from 3-point range (4-of-8). Lafayette finished at 43.1 percent (31-of-72) and 30.0 percent from long distance (6-of-20). The Mountain Hawks held a 45-40 edge in rebounds.
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Lehigh found a way to win despite a combined 67 points from seniors Justin Jaworski (37) and E.J. Stephens (30).
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"It's surreal," said Wilson. "If you would have told me this morning or anytime this week that not only would we get a win, but this is how we'd win, I would have laughed at you. It's Le-Laf, crazy things happen in these games and now our team gets to be a part of the history and storied tradition."
Â
Lehigh and Lafayette will square off once again in 24 hours as the Mountain Hawks travel to Easton for a 4 p.m. showdown on CBS Sports Network.
Â
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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Team Stats
Laf
Lehigh
FG%
.431
.507
3FG%
.300
.500
FT%
.778
.552
RB
40
45
TO
8
10
STL
5
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
28
FGM
11
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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/ Men's BasketballG
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