Wednesday, November 20
Bethlehem, Pa.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
1-4,0-0Patriot
100
vs
53
University of Valley Forge
2-4,0-0United East
1
2
F
Valley Forge
29
24
53
Lehigh
50
50
100
Photo by: Kendall Gavin
Lehigh Rolls Past Valley Forge 100-53 In First Win Of The Season
11/20/2024 10:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men's basketball took to the court at home for the first time this season on Wednesday evening, welcoming the Valley Forge Patriots to Stabler Arena. The Mountain Hawks put on a show for their home fans, earning a 100-53 victory to claim their first win of the year.
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Wednesday night's game between Lehigh (1-4) and Valley Forge (4-3) was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The win was Lehigh's first 100-point outing since 2016 and moved head coach Dr. Brett Reed's record against non-Division-I programs to 14-0.
The Mountain Hawks were on fire to start the game, jumping ahead to an 11-0 lead within the first four minutes of action. The Patriots were able to stick around, hitting multiple threes to cut the lead to four. A Zay Dillingham free throw set the score at 26-22 with under ten minutes to play in the first half. From that point, Lehigh locked in, conducting a 15-2 run over the next five minutes to extend their lead to double digits. The Mountain Hawks rode a 51.3% field goal percentage and 40.9% three-point percentage to a 50-29 halftime lead.
After a strong shooting performance in the first half, the Mountain Hawks were even more efficient in the second. Lehigh shot 62.1% from the field and 53.8% from three in the frame, once again scoring exactly 50 points in the final 20 minutes. Lehigh outscored Valley Forge 18-8 in the early going of the frame and didn't look back the rest of the way. The Mountain Hawks found contributions all the way up and down the bench on route to the big win.
Lehigh finished the night shooting 55.9% from the floor and 45.7% from three while holding Valley Forge to 30.2% and 31.8%. The Mountain Hawks had the advantage on the glass for the first time this season, outrebounding the Patriots 52-22. Lehigh's bench also played a major role in the win, outscoring Valley Forge 46-17.
Six players reached double figures in Wednesday's win, led by 20 points from senior Keith Higgins Jr. The West Hills, Calif. native added eight rebounds, five threes, four assists and a block in the win.
Senior Ben Knostman had a perfect night from the field, going 5-5 with three triples to score a career-high 13 points. He also tallied four rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.
Scoring a new career-high was sophomore Jake Pike, who exploded for 13 points in only seven minutes of game action. The forward from Houston, Texas went 5-6 from the field with two triples while also grabbing three rebounds.
Senior Tyler Whitney-Sidney scored 12 points and a team-high five assists. He has now reached double figures in every game for the Mountain Hawks this season.
First-year Edouard Benoit nearly notched the first double-double of his career, reaching career bests with 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Sophomore Joshua Ingram tallied a season-high 12 points in the win while also recording three rebounds, three assists and a block.
The Mountain Hawks will be back on the road in their next game, traveling west to Loretto, Pa. for a date with the Saint Francis Red Flash on Tuesday, November 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at DeGol Arena.
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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🔊 Hear from head coach Brett Reed and senior Ben Knostman following tonight's 100-53 victory over Valley Forge!#GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/e01aoH4NRO
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) November 21, 2024
Wednesday night's game between Lehigh (1-4) and Valley Forge (4-3) was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The win was Lehigh's first 100-point outing since 2016 and moved head coach Dr. Brett Reed's record against non-Division-I programs to 14-0.
The Mountain Hawks were on fire to start the game, jumping ahead to an 11-0 lead within the first four minutes of action. The Patriots were able to stick around, hitting multiple threes to cut the lead to four. A Zay Dillingham free throw set the score at 26-22 with under ten minutes to play in the first half. From that point, Lehigh locked in, conducting a 15-2 run over the next five minutes to extend their lead to double digits. The Mountain Hawks rode a 51.3% field goal percentage and 40.9% three-point percentage to a 50-29 halftime lead.
After a strong shooting performance in the first half, the Mountain Hawks were even more efficient in the second. Lehigh shot 62.1% from the field and 53.8% from three in the frame, once again scoring exactly 50 points in the final 20 minutes. Lehigh outscored Valley Forge 18-8 in the early going of the frame and didn't look back the rest of the way. The Mountain Hawks found contributions all the way up and down the bench on route to the big win.
Lehigh finished the night shooting 55.9% from the floor and 45.7% from three while holding Valley Forge to 30.2% and 31.8%. The Mountain Hawks had the advantage on the glass for the first time this season, outrebounding the Patriots 52-22. Lehigh's bench also played a major role in the win, outscoring Valley Forge 46-17.
Six players reached double figures in Wednesday's win, led by 20 points from senior Keith Higgins Jr. The West Hills, Calif. native added eight rebounds, five threes, four assists and a block in the win.
Senior Ben Knostman had a perfect night from the field, going 5-5 with three triples to score a career-high 13 points. He also tallied four rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.
Scoring a new career-high was sophomore Jake Pike, who exploded for 13 points in only seven minutes of game action. The forward from Houston, Texas went 5-6 from the field with two triples while also grabbing three rebounds.
Senior Tyler Whitney-Sidney scored 12 points and a team-high five assists. He has now reached double figures in every game for the Mountain Hawks this season.
First-year Edouard Benoit nearly notched the first double-double of his career, reaching career bests with 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Sophomore Joshua Ingram tallied a season-high 12 points in the win while also recording three rebounds, three assists and a block.
The Mountain Hawks will be back on the road in their next game, traveling west to Loretto, Pa. for a date with the Saint Francis Red Flash on Tuesday, November 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at DeGol Arena.
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
VF
Lehigh
FG%
.302
.559
3FG%
.318
.457
FT%
.667
.667
RB
22
52
TO
15
14
STL
9
8
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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