Tuesday, November 23
Bethlehem, Pa.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Columbia
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Mountain Hawks Set for Pre-Thanksgiving Showdown with Columbia Tuesday Night
11/22/2021 4:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's basketball team heads home on Tuesday for just the second time this season, as the Mountain Hawks welcome Columbia to Stabler Arena. Opening tipoff is 7 p.m. on ESPN+. Lehigh is searching for its first win; the Mountain Hawks have been competitive in every contest, but just haven't been able to pull one out as of yet. Last time out, Lehigh dropped a 55-45 final at Merrimack in a game that was within striking distance until the final seconds.
Playing against the Warriors' unique and aggressive zone defense, the Mountain Hawks opened an early 12-4 lead, but Lehigh's offense went cold for a stretch of more than six minutes. But since the Mountain Hawks were playing such strong D to keep them close, a Jeameril Wilson layup with 4:17 left in the first half pulled Lehigh even at 16. The teams were tied at 22 at the half. Junior Evan Taylor was the story in the second half, scoring 11 of his career-high tying 17 points within the first 7:09 to pull the Mountain Hawks within two (after Merrimack had quickly opened an eight-point lead). However, Lehigh's offense scored just 10 points over the game's final 12:51 as the Warriors pulled away in front of a sellout crowd of 3,000 fans in their first-ever basketball game at Lawler Arena (their normal hockey facility).
Taylor ended up with 13 second-half points, while Wilson scored all 12 of his points in the first half. He shot 6-of-7 from the field over the first 20 minutes. The Mountain Hawks struggled with turnovers again, finishing with 19 (compared to just six for Merrimack). Lehigh dominated the glass, holding a 43-30 edge in rebounds. Sophomore Dominic Parolin reached double figures for the second time this season (also at Rutgers) while Taylor and Wilson each grabbed nine boards, narrowly missing a double-double.
The Mountain Hawks will be hosting Columbia for the first time since Nov. 23, 2014; the last two meetings have been on the road. Lehigh has lost four straight to the Lions, the last victory coming in January of 2009.
Columbia stands 2-2 on the young season, having won two straight - vs. Binghamton in overtime and against Mount Saint Vincent. The Lions are led offensively by Liam Murphy and Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa, who are both averaging 14.0 points per game. Murphy and Josh Odunowo are both tied for the team lead in rebounds (5.0 per contest). Columbia began the season with losses at Fordham and vs. Marist. The Ivy League didn't play last season; the Lions were 6-24 the year prior.
Columbia leads the all-time series with Lehigh, 25-11, including four straight victories. The last time the teams met was in November of 2019, a 68-64 Lions' victory in New York City. Tuesday will mark the first meeting in the series at Lehigh since Nov. 23, 2014, a 54-44 Lions' victory. The Mountain Hawks' last win came on Jan. 2, 2009, a 73-59 final in Stabler Arena. The teams first met in the 1962-63 season, a 65-51 Columbia win.
Following Tuesday's contest, the Mountain Hawks will head to the University of Virginia for a Friday night showdown against the Cavaliers on ACC Network. Opening tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Playing against the Warriors' unique and aggressive zone defense, the Mountain Hawks opened an early 12-4 lead, but Lehigh's offense went cold for a stretch of more than six minutes. But since the Mountain Hawks were playing such strong D to keep them close, a Jeameril Wilson layup with 4:17 left in the first half pulled Lehigh even at 16. The teams were tied at 22 at the half. Junior Evan Taylor was the story in the second half, scoring 11 of his career-high tying 17 points within the first 7:09 to pull the Mountain Hawks within two (after Merrimack had quickly opened an eight-point lead). However, Lehigh's offense scored just 10 points over the game's final 12:51 as the Warriors pulled away in front of a sellout crowd of 3,000 fans in their first-ever basketball game at Lawler Arena (their normal hockey facility).
Taylor ended up with 13 second-half points, while Wilson scored all 12 of his points in the first half. He shot 6-of-7 from the field over the first 20 minutes. The Mountain Hawks struggled with turnovers again, finishing with 19 (compared to just six for Merrimack). Lehigh dominated the glass, holding a 43-30 edge in rebounds. Sophomore Dominic Parolin reached double figures for the second time this season (also at Rutgers) while Taylor and Wilson each grabbed nine boards, narrowly missing a double-double.
The Mountain Hawks will be hosting Columbia for the first time since Nov. 23, 2014; the last two meetings have been on the road. Lehigh has lost four straight to the Lions, the last victory coming in January of 2009.
Columbia stands 2-2 on the young season, having won two straight - vs. Binghamton in overtime and against Mount Saint Vincent. The Lions are led offensively by Liam Murphy and Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa, who are both averaging 14.0 points per game. Murphy and Josh Odunowo are both tied for the team lead in rebounds (5.0 per contest). Columbia began the season with losses at Fordham and vs. Marist. The Ivy League didn't play last season; the Lions were 6-24 the year prior.
Columbia leads the all-time series with Lehigh, 25-11, including four straight victories. The last time the teams met was in November of 2019, a 68-64 Lions' victory in New York City. Tuesday will mark the first meeting in the series at Lehigh since Nov. 23, 2014, a 54-44 Lions' victory. The Mountain Hawks' last win came on Jan. 2, 2009, a 73-59 final in Stabler Arena. The teams first met in the 1962-63 season, a 65-51 Columbia win.
Following Tuesday's contest, the Mountain Hawks will head to the University of Virginia for a Friday night showdown against the Cavaliers on ACC Network. Opening tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | November 23, 2021 |
| Opponent: | Columbia Lions |
| Tip-off: | 7 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Stabler Arena (5,600) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 0-4, 0-0 PL |
| Columbia's Record: | 2-2, 0-0 Ivy |
| Series: | Columbia leads, 25-11 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Radio: | Fox Sports 1230/1320 AM/94.7 FM |
Players Mentioned
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