Photo by: Clark Boinis
Five Mountain Hawks Reach Double-Figures In 77-65 Win Over Navy
1/31/2024 11:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Five players scored in double-figures for Lehigh men's basketball in Wednesday night's 77-65 victory over the Navy Midshipmen. The Mountain Hawks jumped ahead early and never looked back in what was an all-around team win for Lehigh.
"It was really fun to see [our guys] put it together and play as a unit on defense," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "And obviously, you could see the same thing on display on offense as well."
Lehigh (7-13, 4-5 PL) split the season series against Navy (8-12, 4-5 PL) after tonight's victory following the team's narrow 71-69 loss in Annapolis earlier this month. The Mountain Hawks are currently tied for fifth place in the Patriot League with the Midshipmen following Wednesday's win.
After opening the game down 9-7 to the Mids, Lehigh's offense began to take off throughout the first half. The Mountain Hawks knocked down eight triples on 50% shooting (8-16) in the opening frame to gain a solid lead. Dominic Parolin lit up the stat-sheet in particular, shooting a perfect 3-3 from downtown in the first 20 minutes. Lehigh's excellent outside shooting allowed them to take a 35-24 lead into the locker room.
Although the Mountain Hawks continued to shoot well from the outside in the second half, they also began to shoot effectively from the interior. Lehigh shot 66% (8-12) on shots inside the three-point line in the second half, allowing them to maintain the lead for the entirety of the second stanza. Lehigh's lead grew to as many as 23 roughly nine minutes into the final frame, but the Mids would make things a bit more interesting down the stretch. Navy's 55.6% (5-9) three-point percentage and 100% (10-10) free throw percentage in the final 20 minutes allowed them to cut the Mountain Hawk lead to ten late, but their efforts were in vain, as Lehigh held on to win by twelve.
Leading the way for Lehigh was junior Tyler Whitney-Sidney, whose 17 points paced the Mountain Hawks on the night. He shot an efficient 9-10 from the charity stripe while dishing out a team-high five assists in the win.
Lehigh's youth movement was on full display in the win, as first-years Joshua Ingram and Cam Gillus each posted career-highs. Ingram matched his career-high of 14 points and led the Mountain Hawks with eight rebounds, two of which were offensive.
"I thought Josh was great. He played some very good defense, he rebounded the basketball, and all of those things were positive," said Reed. "I told him he was playing great and to keep his confidence up before the game, and he just gave me a little smile. That told me everything I needed to know that [Josh] was ready to play tonight."
In his fourth career start, Gillus impressed with 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal while playing excellent defense in 33 minutes of action.
"[Defense] has been a big thing we've been preaching," said Gillus. "If that's the standard we hold ourselves to, we'll be able to have a chance to win every game and be in every game every night."
Also hitting double-figures were Bube Momah and Dominic Parolin, who each added 11 points respectively. Parolin stuffed the stat sheet with seven boards, three assists and two blocks while Momah tallied five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a thunderous dunk early in the first half.
The Mountain Hawks have now won three of their last four games and each of the previous two. Lehigh will travel north to take on the Boston University Terriers on Saturday, February 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Boston.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"It was really fun to see [our guys] put it together and play as a unit on defense," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "And obviously, you could see the same thing on display on offense as well."
Lehigh (7-13, 4-5 PL) split the season series against Navy (8-12, 4-5 PL) after tonight's victory following the team's narrow 71-69 loss in Annapolis earlier this month. The Mountain Hawks are currently tied for fifth place in the Patriot League with the Midshipmen following Wednesday's win.
After opening the game down 9-7 to the Mids, Lehigh's offense began to take off throughout the first half. The Mountain Hawks knocked down eight triples on 50% shooting (8-16) in the opening frame to gain a solid lead. Dominic Parolin lit up the stat-sheet in particular, shooting a perfect 3-3 from downtown in the first 20 minutes. Lehigh's excellent outside shooting allowed them to take a 35-24 lead into the locker room.
Although the Mountain Hawks continued to shoot well from the outside in the second half, they also began to shoot effectively from the interior. Lehigh shot 66% (8-12) on shots inside the three-point line in the second half, allowing them to maintain the lead for the entirety of the second stanza. Lehigh's lead grew to as many as 23 roughly nine minutes into the final frame, but the Mids would make things a bit more interesting down the stretch. Navy's 55.6% (5-9) three-point percentage and 100% (10-10) free throw percentage in the final 20 minutes allowed them to cut the Mountain Hawk lead to ten late, but their efforts were in vain, as Lehigh held on to win by twelve.
Leading the way for Lehigh was junior Tyler Whitney-Sidney, whose 17 points paced the Mountain Hawks on the night. He shot an efficient 9-10 from the charity stripe while dishing out a team-high five assists in the win.
Lehigh's youth movement was on full display in the win, as first-years Joshua Ingram and Cam Gillus each posted career-highs. Ingram matched his career-high of 14 points and led the Mountain Hawks with eight rebounds, two of which were offensive.
"I thought Josh was great. He played some very good defense, he rebounded the basketball, and all of those things were positive," said Reed. "I told him he was playing great and to keep his confidence up before the game, and he just gave me a little smile. That told me everything I needed to know that [Josh] was ready to play tonight."
In his fourth career start, Gillus impressed with 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal while playing excellent defense in 33 minutes of action.
"[Defense] has been a big thing we've been preaching," said Gillus. "If that's the standard we hold ourselves to, we'll be able to have a chance to win every game and be in every game every night."
Also hitting double-figures were Bube Momah and Dominic Parolin, who each added 11 points respectively. Parolin stuffed the stat sheet with seven boards, three assists and two blocks while Momah tallied five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a thunderous dunk early in the first half.
.@BubeMomah with AUTHORITY ‼️ 😤
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) February 1, 2024
📺 https://t.co/GZx4argOjo@ESPN @PatriotLeagueTV #GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/e6Bd6oA2B8
The Mountain Hawks have now won three of their last four games and each of the previous two. Lehigh will travel north to take on the Boston University Terriers on Saturday, February 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Boston.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
Navy
Lehigh
FG%
.377
.463
3FG%
.316
.429
FT%
.929
.789
RB
35
36
TO
11
14
STL
7
5
Game Leaders
- Scoring
- Field Goals
- 3PT Field Goals
- Free Throws
- Rebounds
Pts
17
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
9
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF/C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballPlayers Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF/C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballSeason Preview: Men's BasketballSeason Preview: Men's Basketball
Thursday, October 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's BasketballLehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, October 30
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's BasketballLehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, February 07
Men's Basketball vs SUNY OneontaMen's Basketball vs SUNY Oneonta
Thursday, November 16