Saturday, January 9
Bethlehem, Pa.
2 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Navy
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh Hits the Floor This Weekend to Face Navy
1/8/2021 11:34:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After an exciting start to the season, the Lehigh men's basketball team returns to the court this weekend when it faces the Navy Midshipmen in a pair of contests. Originally slated to face American, a late switch put Navy on the schedule (after Lehigh and Navy were initially not expected to meet at all this season). On Saturday (2 p.m.), the Mountain Hawks will host the Mids in Stabler before traveling to Annapolis on Sunday for a 3 p.m. showdown. Both games can be seen on ESPN+.
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The opening weekend of action saw Lehigh go 1-1 against archrival Lafayette. It all began on Saturday with a thrilling buzzer-beating victory behind a long 3-pointer from senior Marques Wilson. With 2.2 seconds remaining in overtime after the Leopards hit a go-ahead basket, the Mountain Hawks called timeout. Inbounding, sophomore Reed Fenton found Wilson near midcourt, Wilson made two dribbles then buried a shot that went viral across social media and media. The shot led SportsCenter that night as Scott Van Pelt's "Best Thing I Saw Today." It marked Lehigh's first game-winning shot since Mackey McKnight connected on a driving layup with 0.5 seconds left in overtime at Boston University on Feb. 1, 2014.
The final score Saturday was 90-89, Lehigh's first time scoring 90 points since Jan. 22, 2020 at Holy Cross. Wilson finished with 28 points to tie a career high. His 11 made field goals and 38 minutes played were also career highs. Wilson was 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Junior Nic Lynch also added 22 points and eight rebounds, marking the first time since Jan. 15, 2020 against Navy that a pair of Mountain Hawks had scored 20 (Jordan Cohen had 28 and Wilson tallied 21). Sophomore Jakob Alamudun impressed as well, posting his second-career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in a career-high 32 minutes played.
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On Sunday, the Mountain Hawks jumped out to leads of 10-0 and 16-2, but the Leopards responded to take a four-point halftime advantage. Lehigh pulled within one on three occasions in the second half, but couldn't get over the hump and Lafayette pulled away for the 82-70 win. Lynch and Wilson were again the story, scoring 20 and 18 points, respectively. Sophomore Jake Betlow helped spark the early start, scoring eight of Lehigh's first 16 points.
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Navy is in the South mini-conference and was one of only two programs (along with Army West Point) allowed to compete in nonleague games. The Midshipmen are 5-1 (which includes nonleague victories over George Washington, Mount St. Mary's and Georgetown and two Patriot League wins over Bucknell). Senior All-League guard Cam Davis has led the offense, averaging 20.5 points per contest, while John Carter Jr. is also averaging double figures (10.7). Carter Jr. and Greg Summers are tied for the team lead in rebounds (4.8/game) while Davis owns a team-leading 15 assists.
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Navy won both meetings last season to take a 51-32 lead in the all-time series. Despite the Mids winning four of the last six and five of the last eight vs. the Mountain Hawks, Lehigh has still won 16 of the last 22 heading into the weekend. Two years ago, Lehigh swept the season series with 85-74 and 83-57 victories. The teams first met in 1910-11, a 31-24 Navy victory. Lehigh's first win was in 1925-26 by a 25-23 final.
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After this weekend's games, the Mountain Hawks are scheduled to face Bucknell next weekend – traveling to Lewisburg on Saturday (Jan. 16) before hosting Bucknell on Sunday (Jan. 17).
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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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The opening weekend of action saw Lehigh go 1-1 against archrival Lafayette. It all began on Saturday with a thrilling buzzer-beating victory behind a long 3-pointer from senior Marques Wilson. With 2.2 seconds remaining in overtime after the Leopards hit a go-ahead basket, the Mountain Hawks called timeout. Inbounding, sophomore Reed Fenton found Wilson near midcourt, Wilson made two dribbles then buried a shot that went viral across social media and media. The shot led SportsCenter that night as Scott Van Pelt's "Best Thing I Saw Today." It marked Lehigh's first game-winning shot since Mackey McKnight connected on a driving layup with 0.5 seconds left in overtime at Boston University on Feb. 1, 2014.
ÂIn case you missed it, @_M_W_II's buzzer beater was featured by @notthefakeSVP on @SportsCenter Saturday evening 🙌pic.twitter.com/vVmTORRTNi
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) January 4, 2021
The final score Saturday was 90-89, Lehigh's first time scoring 90 points since Jan. 22, 2020 at Holy Cross. Wilson finished with 28 points to tie a career high. His 11 made field goals and 38 minutes played were also career highs. Wilson was 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Junior Nic Lynch also added 22 points and eight rebounds, marking the first time since Jan. 15, 2020 against Navy that a pair of Mountain Hawks had scored 20 (Jordan Cohen had 28 and Wilson tallied 21). Sophomore Jakob Alamudun impressed as well, posting his second-career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in a career-high 32 minutes played.
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On Sunday, the Mountain Hawks jumped out to leads of 10-0 and 16-2, but the Leopards responded to take a four-point halftime advantage. Lehigh pulled within one on three occasions in the second half, but couldn't get over the hump and Lafayette pulled away for the 82-70 win. Lynch and Wilson were again the story, scoring 20 and 18 points, respectively. Sophomore Jake Betlow helped spark the early start, scoring eight of Lehigh's first 16 points.
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Navy is in the South mini-conference and was one of only two programs (along with Army West Point) allowed to compete in nonleague games. The Midshipmen are 5-1 (which includes nonleague victories over George Washington, Mount St. Mary's and Georgetown and two Patriot League wins over Bucknell). Senior All-League guard Cam Davis has led the offense, averaging 20.5 points per contest, while John Carter Jr. is also averaging double figures (10.7). Carter Jr. and Greg Summers are tied for the team lead in rebounds (4.8/game) while Davis owns a team-leading 15 assists.
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Navy won both meetings last season to take a 51-32 lead in the all-time series. Despite the Mids winning four of the last six and five of the last eight vs. the Mountain Hawks, Lehigh has still won 16 of the last 22 heading into the weekend. Two years ago, Lehigh swept the season series with 85-74 and 83-57 victories. The teams first met in 1910-11, a 31-24 Navy victory. Lehigh's first win was in 1925-26 by a 25-23 final.
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After this weekend's games, the Mountain Hawks are scheduled to face Bucknell next weekend – traveling to Lewisburg on Saturday (Jan. 16) before hosting Bucknell on Sunday (Jan. 17).
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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: | January 9 & 10, 2021 |
| Opponent: | Navy Midshipmen |
| Tip-off: | 2 p.m. (1/9) 3 p.m. (1/10) |
| Arena: | Stabler Arena (1/9) Alumni Hall (1/10) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. (1/9) Annapolis, Md. (1/10) |
| Lehigh's Record: | 1-1 PL, 1-1 Central |
| Navy's Record: | 2-0 PL, 0-0 South |
| Series: | Navy leads, 51-32 |
| TV: | ESPN+ (Both Days) |
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