Tuesday, December 28
College Park, Md.
8:30 p.m.
Lehigh University
at
Maryland
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Mountain Hawks Ready for Showdown at Maryland, Home Tilt vs. Eastern
12/27/2021 8:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's basketball team returns to the court for a busy couple days, as the Mountain Hawks travel to the University of Maryland on Tuesday (8:30 p.m., Big Ten Network) before hosting Eastern University on Wednesday (7 p.m., ESPN+). The Maryland game was a late addition, announced Sunday night, as the Terrapins lost their game vs. Loyola Maryland due to COVID-19 protocols at Loyola (while Lehigh's game at Syracuse on Dec. 18 was also affected by COVID-19 protocols within the Orange program). Tuesday will mark just Lehigh's second game in 24 days, while Maryland will be hitting the court for the first time in 16 days.
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Last time out vs. UAlbany, the Mountain Hawks began with their toughest half of the season (in terms of point differential), falling behind 36-12 after 20 minutes of play. It marked Lehigh's first game in 17 days and after knocking off some rust, the Mountain Hawks did bounce back in the second, cutting seven points off the deficit in the first 3:16 and pulling within 14 with 11:50 still remaining. First year Keith Higgins Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer to cut 10 points off the halftime deficit, then less than a minute later, drew a charge. That's as close as the Mountain Hawks would come, however. Higgins Jr. was a big bright spot, finishing the game with career highs in points (7) and assists (5) while not turning the ball over and primarily playing point guard (a new position). He played all but 40 seconds in the second half, playing a career-high 27 minutes for the game.
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Another bright spot for the Mountain Hawks was that 13 of their 19 field goals were assisted. Also, after 11 first-half turnovers, Lehigh had just three in the second, all while giving itself a chance following the strong beginning of the stanza. Three Lehigh players scored in double figures, led by senior Jeameril Wilson netting 13 (11 in the second half). Classmate Nic Lynch and junior Evan Taylor each added 10.
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Tuesday is the first time Lehigh will face Maryland with the Terps as a member of the Big Ten. This week's games mark the final tune-ups before the Mountain Hawks open Patriot League play at American on New Year's Day.
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Maryland entered the season in the AP Preseason Top 25 and currently stands 6-4, most recently beating No. 20 Florida by a 70-68 final on Dec. 12. That snapped a three-game losing streak which included losses to Louisville, Virginia Tech and Northwestern. Four Terrapins are averaging double-figure points, led by Eric Ayala (13.7 points per game) and Fatts Russell (12.8). Donta Scott owns a team-leading 7.3 rebounds per contest, while Russell has dished a team-leading 3.5 assists per game.
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Maryland leads the all-time series with Lehigh, 2-0, with the sides most recently meeting on Nov. 23, 2007 – a 72-51 Terrapins' victory. The other meeting came in 1970 - an 85-66 Maryland win.
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Eastern stands 9-2 on the young season, most recently topping Lancaster Bible on Dec. 18. The 9-2 start ties the program's best start to a season since Eastern joined NCAA Division III (the Eagles began the 2005-06 season 9-2 as well). After beginning this season 1-2, Eastern has won eight in a row. Eastern has started the same five in all 11 games, four of which are averaging double-figure points. Graduate student William Blet leads the way (15.1) with three others between 10.0 and 10.5. Blet also leads Eastern in rebounding (8.1). The Eagles are shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from 3-point range and 63.2 percent from the free throw line.
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Lehigh is 3-0 all-time vs. Eastern, most recently facing the Eagles in November of 2017, a 95-70 Mountain Hawks' victory. In that win, six Lehigh players scored double-figure points. The other wins came on Dec. 15, 2014 and Nov. 29, 2005. All three meetings have been played in Bethlehem.
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Following Tuesday and Wednesday's games, the Mountain Hawks are scheduled to open Patriot League play at American on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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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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Last time out vs. UAlbany, the Mountain Hawks began with their toughest half of the season (in terms of point differential), falling behind 36-12 after 20 minutes of play. It marked Lehigh's first game in 17 days and after knocking off some rust, the Mountain Hawks did bounce back in the second, cutting seven points off the deficit in the first 3:16 and pulling within 14 with 11:50 still remaining. First year Keith Higgins Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer to cut 10 points off the halftime deficit, then less than a minute later, drew a charge. That's as close as the Mountain Hawks would come, however. Higgins Jr. was a big bright spot, finishing the game with career highs in points (7) and assists (5) while not turning the ball over and primarily playing point guard (a new position). He played all but 40 seconds in the second half, playing a career-high 27 minutes for the game.
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Another bright spot for the Mountain Hawks was that 13 of their 19 field goals were assisted. Also, after 11 first-half turnovers, Lehigh had just three in the second, all while giving itself a chance following the strong beginning of the stanza. Three Lehigh players scored in double figures, led by senior Jeameril Wilson netting 13 (11 in the second half). Classmate Nic Lynch and junior Evan Taylor each added 10.
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Tuesday is the first time Lehigh will face Maryland with the Terps as a member of the Big Ten. This week's games mark the final tune-ups before the Mountain Hawks open Patriot League play at American on New Year's Day.
Â
Maryland entered the season in the AP Preseason Top 25 and currently stands 6-4, most recently beating No. 20 Florida by a 70-68 final on Dec. 12. That snapped a three-game losing streak which included losses to Louisville, Virginia Tech and Northwestern. Four Terrapins are averaging double-figure points, led by Eric Ayala (13.7 points per game) and Fatts Russell (12.8). Donta Scott owns a team-leading 7.3 rebounds per contest, while Russell has dished a team-leading 3.5 assists per game.
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Maryland leads the all-time series with Lehigh, 2-0, with the sides most recently meeting on Nov. 23, 2007 – a 72-51 Terrapins' victory. The other meeting came in 1970 - an 85-66 Maryland win.
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Eastern stands 9-2 on the young season, most recently topping Lancaster Bible on Dec. 18. The 9-2 start ties the program's best start to a season since Eastern joined NCAA Division III (the Eagles began the 2005-06 season 9-2 as well). After beginning this season 1-2, Eastern has won eight in a row. Eastern has started the same five in all 11 games, four of which are averaging double-figure points. Graduate student William Blet leads the way (15.1) with three others between 10.0 and 10.5. Blet also leads Eastern in rebounding (8.1). The Eagles are shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from 3-point range and 63.2 percent from the free throw line.
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Lehigh is 3-0 all-time vs. Eastern, most recently facing the Eagles in November of 2017, a 95-70 Mountain Hawks' victory. In that win, six Lehigh players scored double-figure points. The other wins came on Dec. 15, 2014 and Nov. 29, 2005. All three meetings have been played in Bethlehem.
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Following Tuesday and Wednesday's games, the Mountain Hawks are scheduled to open Patriot League play at American on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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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: | December 28, 2021 |
| Opponent: | Maryland Terrapins |
| Tip-off: | 8:30 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Xfinity Center (17,950) |
| Location: | College Park, Md. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 1-9, 0-0 Patriot League |
| Maryland's Record: | 6-4, 0-1 Big Ten |
| Series: | Maryland leads, 2-0 |
| TV: | Big Ten Network |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM & 1230 AM |
| Date: | December 29, 2021 |
| Opponent: | Eastern Eagles |
| Tip-off: | 7 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Stabler Arena (5,600) |
| Location: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 1-9, 0-0 Patriot League |
| Eastern's Record: | 9-2, 3-0 MAC Commonwealth |
| Series: | Lehigh leads, 3-0 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM & 1230 AM |
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