Wednesday, January 19
Annapolis, Md.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
at
Navy
Photo by: Justin Lafleur
Mountain Hawks, Midshipmen Meet Wednesday Night in Annapolis
1/18/2022 2:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two of the top four teams in the Patriot League standings will square off Wednesday night as the Lehigh men's basketball team travels to Navy to face the Midshipmen. Opening tipoff in Annapolis is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+. The Mids enter tied with Loyola for first place at 5-1 in league play while Lehigh and Army West Point are both a game back at 4-2. The Mountain Hawks are coming off a 69-57 defeat vs. the Greyhounds Sunday night, which saw Lehigh open a 10-point halftime lead, but get outscored 46-24 in the second half.
The Mountain Hawks impressed at both ends of the floor in the first half, as seniors Jeameril Wilson and Nic Lynch each scored double-figure points (11 and 10, respectively) while the defense allowed only 23 Loyola first-half points (and held the Greyhounds to just 11-of-32 shooting over the first 20 minutes). However, in the second, Loyola turned the tables in a big way. With Lehigh leading 43-32 just over five minutes into the period, the Greyhounds answered with a 19-2 run and wouldn't look back.
Junior Evan Taylor scored 14 of Lehigh's 24 second-half points to finish with 20 for the game – his second consecutive game with 20+ points (and second straight with exactly 14 second-half points). He finished 7-of-11 from the field, while adding nine rebounds, a career-high tying three blocks and a steal. Taylor became the first Mountain Hawk with consecutive 20-point efforts since Lynch had 22 then 20 in the first two games of last season (both against Lafayette).
First year Keith Higgins Jr. struggled a bit offensively (shooting 2-of-10 from the field), but still had five rebounds, two assists and a career-high two blocks. The rebound total tied a career high, as did his 37 minutes played. Higgins was recognized on Monday with Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors for the second straight week, becoming Lehigh's first back-to-back Patriot League award winner since Tim Kempton was named Player of the Week consecutively in January of 2017. Higgins is also the Mountain Hawks' first consecutive Rookie of the Week winner since Kahron Ross in February of 2015. Taylor was also recognized as honorable mention on the league's weekly honor roll.
Navy has won four straight against Lehigh, but all have been extremely competitive with three decided by eight points or fewer and the fourth (the last meeting) decided by 15, but the Mountain Hawks were ahead midway through the second half.
Standing 12-5 on the season and 5-1 in Patriot League play, Navy began its season with a big win at a ranked Virginia team. Its league wins have come over Holy Cross, Boston University (twice), Bucknell and Lafayette, while its loss came to Colgate. John Carter Jr. leads Navy in scoring (13.6 points per game) while Greg Summers is also in double figures (10.3), but was out of action for several games before coming off the bench on Sunday vs. Boston University. Patrick Dorsey and Tyler Nelson are next up, averaging 8.3 and 8.2 points, respectively. Summers leads Navy in rebounding (5.6/game) and big man Daniel Deaver leads the team in assists (33). The Mids lead the Patriot League in scoring defense (59.9).
Navy has won four straight against the Mountain Hawks to take a 53-32 lead in the all-time series. Despite the Midshipmen winning those four in a row and six of the last eight, Lehigh is still 16-8 over its last 24 meetings. Three seasons ago, the Mountain Hawks split the season series (winning 85-74 at Navy and 83-57 at home). 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.
After Wednesday's game, the Mountain Hawks continue on the road Saturday to face Boston University at 1 p.m.
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The Mountain Hawks impressed at both ends of the floor in the first half, as seniors Jeameril Wilson and Nic Lynch each scored double-figure points (11 and 10, respectively) while the defense allowed only 23 Loyola first-half points (and held the Greyhounds to just 11-of-32 shooting over the first 20 minutes). However, in the second, Loyola turned the tables in a big way. With Lehigh leading 43-32 just over five minutes into the period, the Greyhounds answered with a 19-2 run and wouldn't look back.
Junior Evan Taylor scored 14 of Lehigh's 24 second-half points to finish with 20 for the game – his second consecutive game with 20+ points (and second straight with exactly 14 second-half points). He finished 7-of-11 from the field, while adding nine rebounds, a career-high tying three blocks and a steal. Taylor became the first Mountain Hawk with consecutive 20-point efforts since Lynch had 22 then 20 in the first two games of last season (both against Lafayette).
First year Keith Higgins Jr. struggled a bit offensively (shooting 2-of-10 from the field), but still had five rebounds, two assists and a career-high two blocks. The rebound total tied a career high, as did his 37 minutes played. Higgins was recognized on Monday with Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors for the second straight week, becoming Lehigh's first back-to-back Patriot League award winner since Tim Kempton was named Player of the Week consecutively in January of 2017. Higgins is also the Mountain Hawks' first consecutive Rookie of the Week winner since Kahron Ross in February of 2015. Taylor was also recognized as honorable mention on the league's weekly honor roll.
Navy has won four straight against Lehigh, but all have been extremely competitive with three decided by eight points or fewer and the fourth (the last meeting) decided by 15, but the Mountain Hawks were ahead midway through the second half.
Standing 12-5 on the season and 5-1 in Patriot League play, Navy began its season with a big win at a ranked Virginia team. Its league wins have come over Holy Cross, Boston University (twice), Bucknell and Lafayette, while its loss came to Colgate. John Carter Jr. leads Navy in scoring (13.6 points per game) while Greg Summers is also in double figures (10.3), but was out of action for several games before coming off the bench on Sunday vs. Boston University. Patrick Dorsey and Tyler Nelson are next up, averaging 8.3 and 8.2 points, respectively. Summers leads Navy in rebounding (5.6/game) and big man Daniel Deaver leads the team in assists (33). The Mids lead the Patriot League in scoring defense (59.9).
Navy has won four straight against the Mountain Hawks to take a 53-32 lead in the all-time series. Despite the Midshipmen winning those four in a row and six of the last eight, Lehigh is still 16-8 over its last 24 meetings. Three seasons ago, the Mountain Hawks split the season series (winning 85-74 at Navy and 83-57 at home). 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.
After Wednesday's game, the Mountain Hawks continue on the road Saturday to face Boston University at 1 p.m.
Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
| Date: | January 19, 2022 |
| Opponent: | Navy Midshipmen |
| Tip-off: | 7 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Alumni Hall (5,710) |
| Location: | Annapolis, Md. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 6-12, 4-2 Patriot League |
| Navy's Record: | 12-5, 5-1 Patriot League |
| Series: | Navy leads, 53-32 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM & 1230 AM |
Players Mentioned
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