Sunday, December 29
Bethlehem, Pa.
3:30 PM
Lehigh University
87
vs
67
Neumann University
Photo by: Clark Boinis
Lehigh Stays Perfect At Home In 87-67 Win Over Neumann
12/29/2024 6:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Having won three of their last four games, Lehigh men's basketball played host to the Neumann Knights on Sunday afternoon in the team's final game of 2024. Despite a slow start, the Mountain Hawks prevailed 87-67 on their home court.
Sunday's game was the first meeting between Lehigh (5-6) and Neumann (8-4). With the win, Reed's all-time record against non-Division-I competition moved to 15-0 and the Mountain Hawks improved to 4-0 at Stabler Arena on the season.
Neumann entered the game having won four of their last five contests and stayed hot to begin Sunday's game. The Knights shot 57.6% from the field in the first half, including 70.5% in the opening nine minutes to take a 25-14 lead. After a sluggish start to the game, Lehigh's offense began to click, outscoring the Knights 28-17 for the final ten minutes of the first half. The Mountain Hawks gained only their second lead of the game in the final minute off of a Joshua Ingram triple, but Kian Nixon's layup sent the game to halftime tied 42-42.
Lehigh gained a quick lead to begin the second half fueled by a personal 6-0 run from Tyler Whitney-Sidney, a lead they would not relinquish. The Mountain Hawks' offense was clicking the rest of the way, as the team scored 45 points in the final 20 minutes on 57.7% shooting. While Lehigh's offense was in sync, their efforts on the defensive side of the floor picked up as well, holding Neumann to 25 points on 30% from the floor in the second half.
The Mountain Hawks shot 51.7% (30-58) from the field and 40.9% (9-22) from three compared to Neumann's 44.4% (28-63) and 40.0% (4-10). Lehigh's advantage was staggering from the free throw line, shooting 81.8% (18-22) to Neumann's 46.7% (7-15). The Mountain Hawks also gained an advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Knights 42-25.
Leading the way offensively for the Mountain Hawks was senior Keith Higgins Jr. who posted a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Higgins has now scored in double-figures in ten consecutive games and has reached 20+ points five times this season.
Whitney-Sidney added 19 points on the afternoon, his ninth double-digit scoring output of the year. Also in double-figures for the Mountain Hawks was sophomore Cam Gillus with ten and first-year Edouard Benoit with ten.
Reaching new career-highs in rebounds and assists was senior Ben Knostman, who finished the game one assist shy of a double-double with a game-high ten boards and nine dimes. Knostman added seven points offensively.
The Mountain Hawks return to Stabler Arena on Thursday, January 2 at 7 p.m. to open Patriot League play against the Bucknell Bison.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Head coach Brett Reed speaks with Ryan McGettigan following tonight's victory over Neumann! 🎙️#GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/9G4TDUctPs
— Lehigh M. Basketball (@LehighMBB) December 29, 2024
Sunday's game was the first meeting between Lehigh (5-6) and Neumann (8-4). With the win, Reed's all-time record against non-Division-I competition moved to 15-0 and the Mountain Hawks improved to 4-0 at Stabler Arena on the season.
Neumann entered the game having won four of their last five contests and stayed hot to begin Sunday's game. The Knights shot 57.6% from the field in the first half, including 70.5% in the opening nine minutes to take a 25-14 lead. After a sluggish start to the game, Lehigh's offense began to click, outscoring the Knights 28-17 for the final ten minutes of the first half. The Mountain Hawks gained only their second lead of the game in the final minute off of a Joshua Ingram triple, but Kian Nixon's layup sent the game to halftime tied 42-42.
Lehigh gained a quick lead to begin the second half fueled by a personal 6-0 run from Tyler Whitney-Sidney, a lead they would not relinquish. The Mountain Hawks' offense was clicking the rest of the way, as the team scored 45 points in the final 20 minutes on 57.7% shooting. While Lehigh's offense was in sync, their efforts on the defensive side of the floor picked up as well, holding Neumann to 25 points on 30% from the floor in the second half.
The Mountain Hawks shot 51.7% (30-58) from the field and 40.9% (9-22) from three compared to Neumann's 44.4% (28-63) and 40.0% (4-10). Lehigh's advantage was staggering from the free throw line, shooting 81.8% (18-22) to Neumann's 46.7% (7-15). The Mountain Hawks also gained an advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Knights 42-25.
Leading the way offensively for the Mountain Hawks was senior Keith Higgins Jr. who posted a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Higgins has now scored in double-figures in ten consecutive games and has reached 20+ points five times this season.
Whitney-Sidney added 19 points on the afternoon, his ninth double-digit scoring output of the year. Also in double-figures for the Mountain Hawks was sophomore Cam Gillus with ten and first-year Edouard Benoit with ten.
Reaching new career-highs in rebounds and assists was senior Ben Knostman, who finished the game one assist shy of a double-double with a game-high ten boards and nine dimes. Knostman added seven points offensively.
The Mountain Hawks return to Stabler Arena on Thursday, January 2 at 7 p.m. to open Patriot League play against the Bucknell Bison.
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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