Saturday, February 26
Easton, Pa.
2 p.m.
Lehigh University
at
Lafayette
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Big Regular Season Finale at Lafayette on Tap Saturday
2/25/2022 11:34:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Owning sole possession of the No. 4 seed in the standings, the Lehigh men's basketball team closes out the regular season at archrival Lafayette on Saturday. Gametime in Easton is set for 2 p.m. With a win (or Loyola loss at American), the Mountain Hawks would clinch the No. 4 seed and a home game in the Patriot League Quarterfinals for the first time since the 2018-19 season. However, with a loss, Lehigh could still finish anywhere between the No. 4 and No. 6 seeds.
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The Mountain Hawks bounced back from a tough loss at Loyola Sunday in a big way on Senior Night Wednesday. Lehigh trailed American 23-12 early, but responded with a 28-4 run to take a lead. That run extended to 47-13 as the Mountain Hawks' advantage eventually reached as high as 24 late in the second half, on the way to the 78-61 victory. It marked Lehigh's 12th win in its last 13 tries against the Eagles and second double-digit comeback win of the season against American (the Mountain Hawks erased a 19-point first-half deficit in the league opener). The win also officially clinched Lehigh a bye into the Patriot League Quarterfinals.
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In fact, Lehigh has erased four double-digit deficits this season (all in league play), including each of its last three wins. The four double-figure comebacks during Patriot League regular season play is tied for the most in Brett Reed's 15 seasons as Mountain Hawks' head coach. Nic Lynch was a huge spark on Wednesday. Celebrating his Senior Night, he finished with a career-high 30 points - the first Mountain Hawk with 30+ points since Jordan Cohen had 34 on Jan. 22, 2020 at Holy Cross. Lynch became the first Lehigh player with 30 in a regulation game since Cohen had 32 on Jan. 26, 2019 vs. Boston University.
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Three other Mountain Hawks reached double-figure points on Wednesday. Senior Jeameril Wilson and first year Keith Higgins Jr. each added 13 while first year Tyler Whitney-Sidney scored 12. Higgins tied a career-high three steals, originally set in the first meeting against American. Fifth year Marques Wilson also filled up the box score with five points, a team-high six rebounds, four assists and two steals. A key stretch came midway through the first half when Lehigh went 4-of-4 from 3-point range in the span of 1:45 - two threes coming from Lynch, one from Marques Wilson and one from Jeameril Wilson. Lehigh finished 12-of-27 from behind the arc, the third time in the last four games the Mountain Hawks have had 10 or more makes.
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Lafayette has had an up-and-down season. Its nonleague slate was highlighted by a tight 53-51 win at Rutgers. The Leopards have alternated wins and losses through much of February. They're in the midst of a busy week, beating Holy Cross at home Monday (84-61) before falling at Boston University Wednesday (76-60). The Leopards actually led at the half, 33-31, but the Terriers outscored Lafayette in the second, 45-27. Lafayette has featured the same starting five for nearly every game this season. Four average double figures, led by Neal Quinn's team-leading 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. Tyrone Perry is next at 11.7 points per contest while Kyle Jenkins comes in at 10.4 and Leo O'Boyle at 10.0. Quinn also leads the Leopards with 111 assists (4.0 per game). Lafayette is fifth in the Patriot League in scoring offense (67.7) and ninth in scoring defense (72.3). The Leopards are second in 3-point field goals made per game (8.6), but eighth in 3-point percentage (32.5).
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Lafayette pulled out a tight 73-69 final earlier this month to take a 148-91 win in the all-time series. That marked the Leopards' fourth straight win in the series, coming after Lehigh's thrilling buzzer-beating win by Marques Wilson in the 2020-21 season opener. Wilson hit a long 3-pointer following a length-of-the-court pass in a play that led SportsCenter that night. The Mountain Hawks went on to open a 16-2 lead at Lafayette the following day, but the Leopards clawed back to win, 82-70. Despite Lafayette's four straight wins, Lehigh has still won 10 of the last 15 meetings overall. The long-time rivals first met during the 1901-92 season, a 46-13 Lehigh victory. Lehigh won the first four games, with Lafayette's first win coming in 1914-15.
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After Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks will prepare for the Patriot League Quarterfinals, location to be determined, next Thursday, Mar. 3.
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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 Mountain Hawks bounced back from a tough loss at Loyola Sunday in a big way on Senior Night Wednesday. Lehigh trailed American 23-12 early, but responded with a 28-4 run to take a lead. That run extended to 47-13 as the Mountain Hawks' advantage eventually reached as high as 24 late in the second half, on the way to the 78-61 victory. It marked Lehigh's 12th win in its last 13 tries against the Eagles and second double-digit comeback win of the season against American (the Mountain Hawks erased a 19-point first-half deficit in the league opener). The win also officially clinched Lehigh a bye into the Patriot League Quarterfinals.
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In fact, Lehigh has erased four double-digit deficits this season (all in league play), including each of its last three wins. The four double-figure comebacks during Patriot League regular season play is tied for the most in Brett Reed's 15 seasons as Mountain Hawks' head coach. Nic Lynch was a huge spark on Wednesday. Celebrating his Senior Night, he finished with a career-high 30 points - the first Mountain Hawk with 30+ points since Jordan Cohen had 34 on Jan. 22, 2020 at Holy Cross. Lynch became the first Lehigh player with 30 in a regulation game since Cohen had 32 on Jan. 26, 2019 vs. Boston University.
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Three other Mountain Hawks reached double-figure points on Wednesday. Senior Jeameril Wilson and first year Keith Higgins Jr. each added 13 while first year Tyler Whitney-Sidney scored 12. Higgins tied a career-high three steals, originally set in the first meeting against American. Fifth year Marques Wilson also filled up the box score with five points, a team-high six rebounds, four assists and two steals. A key stretch came midway through the first half when Lehigh went 4-of-4 from 3-point range in the span of 1:45 - two threes coming from Lynch, one from Marques Wilson and one from Jeameril Wilson. Lehigh finished 12-of-27 from behind the arc, the third time in the last four games the Mountain Hawks have had 10 or more makes.
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Lafayette has had an up-and-down season. Its nonleague slate was highlighted by a tight 53-51 win at Rutgers. The Leopards have alternated wins and losses through much of February. They're in the midst of a busy week, beating Holy Cross at home Monday (84-61) before falling at Boston University Wednesday (76-60). The Leopards actually led at the half, 33-31, but the Terriers outscored Lafayette in the second, 45-27. Lafayette has featured the same starting five for nearly every game this season. Four average double figures, led by Neal Quinn's team-leading 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. Tyrone Perry is next at 11.7 points per contest while Kyle Jenkins comes in at 10.4 and Leo O'Boyle at 10.0. Quinn also leads the Leopards with 111 assists (4.0 per game). Lafayette is fifth in the Patriot League in scoring offense (67.7) and ninth in scoring defense (72.3). The Leopards are second in 3-point field goals made per game (8.6), but eighth in 3-point percentage (32.5).
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Lafayette pulled out a tight 73-69 final earlier this month to take a 148-91 win in the all-time series. That marked the Leopards' fourth straight win in the series, coming after Lehigh's thrilling buzzer-beating win by Marques Wilson in the 2020-21 season opener. Wilson hit a long 3-pointer following a length-of-the-court pass in a play that led SportsCenter that night. The Mountain Hawks went on to open a 16-2 lead at Lafayette the following day, but the Leopards clawed back to win, 82-70. Despite Lafayette's four straight wins, Lehigh has still won 10 of the last 15 meetings overall. The long-time rivals first met during the 1901-92 season, a 46-13 Lehigh victory. Lehigh won the first four games, with Lafayette's first win coming in 1914-15.
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After Saturday's game, the Mountain Hawks will prepare for the Patriot League Quarterfinals, location to be determined, next Thursday, Mar. 3.
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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: | February 26, 2022 |
| Opponent: | Lafayette Leopards |
| Tip-off: | 2 p.m. |
| Arena (Capacity): | Kirby Sports Center (3,500) |
| Location: | Easton, Pa. |
| Lehigh's Record: | 11-18, 9-8 Patriot League |
| Lafayette's Record: | 10-18, 7-10 Patriot League |
| Series: | Lafayette leads, 148-91 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Radio: | Fox Sports Radio 94.7 FM & 1230 AM |
Players Mentioned
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