Wednesday, January 17
Annapolis, Md.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
4-12,1-4Patriot
69
at
71
Navy
7-9,3-2Patriot
1
2
F
Lehigh
35
34
69
Navy
35
36
71
Photo by: Clark Boinis
Parolin Scores Career-High In Narrow 71-69 Loss At Navy
1/17/2024 11:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANNAPOLIS, Md – Lehigh men's basketball traveled south to face the Navy Midshipmen in what was their first of three games in the next five days. Although the game was tied in the closing seconds, clutch free throw shooting and 32 points from Navy's Austin Benigni propelled the Midshipmen to a narrow 71-69 victory.
"We've got to find a way to win [these] games," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "It is a positive sign that our kids keep on fighting, but nonetheless, when you get to that moment, you've got to be able to close it out. Sometimes it's about doing the small, little things very well."
The Mountain Hawks (4-12, 1-4 PL) have now lost each of the past two matchups against the Midshipmen (7-9, 3-2 PL) dating back to last season. Navy holds the advantage in the all-time series, leading 55-35. Each of Lehigh's Patriot League losses have been decided by single-digit points, and Wednesday's matchup with Navy certainly came down to the wire.
The two teams found themselves tied 35-35 through the first half of play. The game began with a Bube Momah and-one conversion on the first possession followed shortly by a Donovan Draper triple on the other end. Lehigh and Navy continued to trade buckets well into the opening stanza until the Mountain Hawks opened a 16-4 run that put them ahead by nine with under three minutes to play. However, Navy's Benigni scored eight points in the final minutes of action to pull the Midshipmen back, culminating with a mid-range jumper as time expired to even the score heading into the locker room.
The second half provided much of the same, that being a physical, back-and-forth basketball game. In total, 42 fouls were called between the two teams, with two players from each side surpassing the five foul limit. This led to a plethora of free-throws for both teams, but in Lehigh's case specifically for Dominic Parolin. The senior recorded career-highs in both makes and attempts from the line, shooting 10-12 in the game.
As the clock winded down in Annapolis, the game was still within one possession. After free throws from Parolin and Nasir Whitlock kept the Mountain Hawks afloat, missed free throws on the other end allowed Lehigh an opportunity to tie the game with seven seconds remaining. Parolin knocked down two from the line to set the score at 69 apiece, and the Mountain Hawks appeared to be on their way to a second consecutive overtime contest. However, Benigni drew a foul around the basket with two seconds remaining on the clock and drained both free throws to secure the win for the Mids.
Parolin led the way for Lehigh, scoring a career-high 20 points off the bench. The Canadian big man added five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal in 29 minutes of action.
"I thought [Dom] was terrific," said Reed. "He gave us an interior presence, we were able to throw the ball in, and the fact that he stepped up and made two pressure free-throws was great… His offensive rebounding and the fact that he was going to the glass were great energy plays for us."
Junior Tyler Whitney-Sidney and senior Jalin Sinclair joined Parolin in double-digits, posting 14 and 13 points respectively. Junior Ben Knostman led the team with four assists while Whitlock hauled in a career-high seven rebounds to lead the Mountain Hawks.
The Mountain Hawks return to Stabler Arena on Saturday, January 20 to complete the season series against American. The team will be raising awareness for the 'Coaches vs. Cancer' initiative put on annually by the American Cancer Society. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. in Bethlehem.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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"We've got to find a way to win [these] games," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "It is a positive sign that our kids keep on fighting, but nonetheless, when you get to that moment, you've got to be able to close it out. Sometimes it's about doing the small, little things very well."
The Mountain Hawks (4-12, 1-4 PL) have now lost each of the past two matchups against the Midshipmen (7-9, 3-2 PL) dating back to last season. Navy holds the advantage in the all-time series, leading 55-35. Each of Lehigh's Patriot League losses have been decided by single-digit points, and Wednesday's matchup with Navy certainly came down to the wire.
The two teams found themselves tied 35-35 through the first half of play. The game began with a Bube Momah and-one conversion on the first possession followed shortly by a Donovan Draper triple on the other end. Lehigh and Navy continued to trade buckets well into the opening stanza until the Mountain Hawks opened a 16-4 run that put them ahead by nine with under three minutes to play. However, Navy's Benigni scored eight points in the final minutes of action to pull the Midshipmen back, culminating with a mid-range jumper as time expired to even the score heading into the locker room.
The second half provided much of the same, that being a physical, back-and-forth basketball game. In total, 42 fouls were called between the two teams, with two players from each side surpassing the five foul limit. This led to a plethora of free-throws for both teams, but in Lehigh's case specifically for Dominic Parolin. The senior recorded career-highs in both makes and attempts from the line, shooting 10-12 in the game.
As the clock winded down in Annapolis, the game was still within one possession. After free throws from Parolin and Nasir Whitlock kept the Mountain Hawks afloat, missed free throws on the other end allowed Lehigh an opportunity to tie the game with seven seconds remaining. Parolin knocked down two from the line to set the score at 69 apiece, and the Mountain Hawks appeared to be on their way to a second consecutive overtime contest. However, Benigni drew a foul around the basket with two seconds remaining on the clock and drained both free throws to secure the win for the Mids.
Parolin led the way for Lehigh, scoring a career-high 20 points off the bench. The Canadian big man added five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal in 29 minutes of action.
"I thought [Dom] was terrific," said Reed. "He gave us an interior presence, we were able to throw the ball in, and the fact that he stepped up and made two pressure free-throws was great… His offensive rebounding and the fact that he was going to the glass were great energy plays for us."
Junior Tyler Whitney-Sidney and senior Jalin Sinclair joined Parolin in double-digits, posting 14 and 13 points respectively. Junior Ben Knostman led the team with four assists while Whitlock hauled in a career-high seven rebounds to lead the Mountain Hawks.
The Mountain Hawks return to Stabler Arena on Saturday, January 20 to complete the season series against American. The team will be raising awareness for the 'Coaches vs. Cancer' initiative put on annually by the American Cancer Society. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. in Bethlehem.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Team Stats
Lehigh
Navy
FG%
.480
.446
3FG%
.143
.167
FT%
.792
.621
RB
34
32
TO
18
11
STL
4
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
10
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
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