Saturday, November 13
Bethlehem, Pa.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
NJIT
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Mountain Hawks Set to Host NJIT in Home Opener Saturday Night
11/12/2021 5:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After a thrilling season opener that fell just a little short of a signature victory, the Lehigh men's basketball team will head home to host NJIT in its home opener on Saturday night. Gametime in Stabler Arena is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+. Saturday will mark the Mountain Hawks' first home game in front of fans in 620 days (more than 20 months), the last being the 2020 Patriot League Tournament win over Loyola. Lehigh enters Saturday with some confidence after nearly knocking off Rutgers out of the Big Ten, a team that not only made the NCAA Tournament last season, but also won its Round of 64 game.
The Mountain Hawks came ever so close to pulling out the victory, and were leading in the final minute until Rutgers pulled even to force overtime. A very tight game saw neither team lead by more than seven (which was Lehigh late in the first half). Even after the Scarlet Knights' strong start to the second half, the Mountain Hawks never trailed by more than five as they continued to answer Rutgers' rallies. Lehigh's defense stood tall, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 37.5 percent shooting (27-of-72), including 7.7 percent from 3-point range (1-of-13). Lehigh held Rutgers scoreless for a stretch of 3:58, and to just two points over the final 4:43 of regulation. However, 22 Lehigh turnovers proved costly. The Mountain Hawks went to overtime in their season opener for the second straight season after beating Lafayette at home, 90-89 on Jan. 2.
Individually, fifth-year senior Marques Wilson was the game high scorer with 21 points. Making his first-career start, sophomore Dominic Parolin was strong in the middle, posting his second-career double-double behind 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a career-high 38 minutes (shattering his previous high by almost 10 minutes). Junior Jakob Alamudun provided a big spark off the bench, scoring 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Interestingly, Alamudun was 3-of-3 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line in last season's final game at Boston University, so he's now hit 13 straight shots in game action. Freshman Ben Knostman was poised as starting point guard, posting four points and four assists, while turning the ball over just once in 28 minutes. Lehigh outrebounded Rutgers, 43-41, with junior Evan Taylor also grabbing seven boards. Classmate Reed Fenton had six points, two of which were dunks, including a vicious second-half slam (and the foul). In the end, 11 Mountain Hawks saw action with 10 scoring, as Lehigh's deep bench was on display. Lehigh head coach Brett Reed nearly put another power-conference win on his resume; he already has victories over the ACC, SEC, Big East and Pac-12.
NJIT is coming off a 61-54 season-opening loss to Merrimack on Thursday (another team Lehigh will be soon playing - next Friday at Merrimack). Saturday will mark the first meeting between Lehigh and NJIT since 2011 and first in Stabler Arena since 2010.
NJIT is 0-1 on the young season, having dropped a 61-54 final at home vs. Merrimack. The Highlanders trailed 35-23 at the half before chipping away in the second. NJIT got as close as five, but that came with six seconds remaining as Merrimack held on. Miles Coleman led NJIT in scoring with 19 points while Antwuan Butler and Dylan O'Hearn had 11 and 10, respectively. Last season, NJIT finished 7-12, including 6-10 in the America East. The Highlanders lost their leading scorer from last season in senior Zach Cooks, who averaged 17.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. O'Hearn is NJIT's leading returning scorer after averaging 10.7 during his junior campaign.
Lehigh has won all four meetings against NJIT all-time, most recently playing on Jan. 4, 2011 - a 92-83 Mountain Hawks' win on the road. Michael Ojo scored a career-high 33 points in the victory. Lehigh also owns wins over the Highlanders in 2010 (86-79), 2008 (66-38) and 2007 (67-58).
Following Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks hit the road to Monmouth next Tuesday (Nov. 17) at 7 p.m.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
The Mountain Hawks came ever so close to pulling out the victory, and were leading in the final minute until Rutgers pulled even to force overtime. A very tight game saw neither team lead by more than seven (which was Lehigh late in the first half). Even after the Scarlet Knights' strong start to the second half, the Mountain Hawks never trailed by more than five as they continued to answer Rutgers' rallies. Lehigh's defense stood tall, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 37.5 percent shooting (27-of-72), including 7.7 percent from 3-point range (1-of-13). Lehigh held Rutgers scoreless for a stretch of 3:58, and to just two points over the final 4:43 of regulation. However, 22 Lehigh turnovers proved costly. The Mountain Hawks went to overtime in their season opener for the second straight season after beating Lafayette at home, 90-89 on Jan. 2.
Individually, fifth-year senior Marques Wilson was the game high scorer with 21 points. Making his first-career start, sophomore Dominic Parolin was strong in the middle, posting his second-career double-double behind 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a career-high 38 minutes (shattering his previous high by almost 10 minutes). Junior Jakob Alamudun provided a big spark off the bench, scoring 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Interestingly, Alamudun was 3-of-3 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line in last season's final game at Boston University, so he's now hit 13 straight shots in game action. Freshman Ben Knostman was poised as starting point guard, posting four points and four assists, while turning the ball over just once in 28 minutes. Lehigh outrebounded Rutgers, 43-41, with junior Evan Taylor also grabbing seven boards. Classmate Reed Fenton had six points, two of which were dunks, including a vicious second-half slam (and the foul). In the end, 11 Mountain Hawks saw action with 10 scoring, as Lehigh's deep bench was on display. Lehigh head coach Brett Reed nearly put another power-conference win on his resume; he already has victories over the ACC, SEC, Big East and Pac-12.
NJIT is coming off a 61-54 season-opening loss to Merrimack on Thursday (another team Lehigh will be soon playing - next Friday at Merrimack). Saturday will mark the first meeting between Lehigh and NJIT since 2011 and first in Stabler Arena since 2010.
NJIT is 0-1 on the young season, having dropped a 61-54 final at home vs. Merrimack. The Highlanders trailed 35-23 at the half before chipping away in the second. NJIT got as close as five, but that came with six seconds remaining as Merrimack held on. Miles Coleman led NJIT in scoring with 19 points while Antwuan Butler and Dylan O'Hearn had 11 and 10, respectively. Last season, NJIT finished 7-12, including 6-10 in the America East. The Highlanders lost their leading scorer from last season in senior Zach Cooks, who averaged 17.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. O'Hearn is NJIT's leading returning scorer after averaging 10.7 during his junior campaign.
Lehigh has won all four meetings against NJIT all-time, most recently playing on Jan. 4, 2011 - a 92-83 Mountain Hawks' win on the road. Michael Ojo scored a career-high 33 points in the victory. Lehigh also owns wins over the Highlanders in 2010 (86-79), 2008 (66-38) and 2007 (67-58).
Following Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks hit the road to Monmouth next Tuesday (Nov. 17) at 7 p.m.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | November 13, 2021 |
| Opponent: | NJIT Highlanders |
| Tip-off: | 7 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Stabler Arena (5,600) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 0-1, 0-0 PL |
| NJIT's Record: | 0-1, 0-0 America East |
| Series: | Lehigh leads, 4-0 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Radio: | Fox Sports 1230/1320 AM/94.7 FM |
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F/C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballLehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, November 12
2025-20226 Lehigh Men's Basketball Season Preview
Thursday, October 30
Season Preview: Men's Basketball
Thursday, October 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, October 30
