Saturday, February 3
Boston, Mass.
1:00 PM
Lehigh University
7-14,4-6Patriot
71
at
72
Boston University
9-14,4-6Patriot
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F
Lehigh
35
36
71
Boston U.
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Photo by: Clark Boinis
BU Completes Comeback To Edge Lehigh 72-71
2/3/2024 4:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON – Winners of their last two outings, Lehigh men's basketball took to Case Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon for their first meeting of the year against the Boston University Terriers. Despite holding a lead at halftime, 38 combined points from BU's Michael McNair and Miles Brewster helped the Terriers steal a 72-71 victory.
"[Boston] made the winning plays, we had the opportunities to make the plays and finishes and didn't necessarily convert," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "They did, and that allowed them to shrink our lead."
The loss for Lehigh (7-14, 4-6 PL) comes off the heels of a big home win over Navy on Wednesday. Boston U. (9-14, 4-6 PL) has historically been a difficult road trip for the Mountain Hawks, who lost against them on the road last season and now hold a 3-12 record all-time against the Terriers at Case Gymnasium.
The afternoon began favorably for the Mountain Hawks, who jumped ahead to a 19-10 lead through the first ten minutes. Much of Lehigh's success came from beyond the three-point line, as the Mountain Hawks shot 55.6% (5-9) from outside in the first half. In addition, Lehigh found an advantage on the glass, out-rebounding BU 19-11 in the frame. Lehigh's effective shooting, control of the boards and excellent defense allowed them to carry a 35-24 lead into halftime.
While the Mountain Hawks held advantages in rebounding and shooting in the first half, the same could not be said in the second. The Terriers came alive from beyond the arc, shooting 80% (8-10) from distance in the second half as opposed to Lehigh's 25% (2-8). BU also tightened things up on the glass, out-rebounding Lehigh 19-8 in the second half and 30-27 overall on the afternoon.
BU pecked away at the lead until the Terriers brought it to within two points in the final minute of the game. Brewster was fouled with :49 remaining and went 1-2 from the line, setting the score at 71-70 in favor of Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks were unable to score on the ensuing possession, which led to another trip to the line for Brewster with only four seconds left on the clock. He knocked down both to give BU their first lead since 14:08 in the first half, and Cam Gillus was unable to knock down a three at the buzzer to secure the win for BU.
Junior Tyler Whitney-Sidney tallied 18 points to lead the Mountain Hawks in front of a large contingent of his family and friends. The Somerville, Massachusetts native also tallied a team-best four assists and tied his career-high of four steals.
Senior Burke Chebuhar and first-year Joshua Ingram joined Whitney-Sidney in double-figures with 11 points each. In addition, both players paced the Mountain Hawks with five rebounds respectively. Also reaching double-digits was Dominic Parolin, who added 10 in what was his tenth game scoring 10+ points this season.
"These guys are gaining valuable experience that, if we utilize it the right way, is going to help us as we progress," said Reed. "I'm disappointed that we weren't able to get this one, but we'll be right back at it."
The Mountain Hawks will host two home games at Stabler Arena next week, starting off with the team's first meeting of the season against Army West Point on Wednesday, February 7. Tip-off is set for 7 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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"[Boston] made the winning plays, we had the opportunities to make the plays and finishes and didn't necessarily convert," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "They did, and that allowed them to shrink our lead."
The loss for Lehigh (7-14, 4-6 PL) comes off the heels of a big home win over Navy on Wednesday. Boston U. (9-14, 4-6 PL) has historically been a difficult road trip for the Mountain Hawks, who lost against them on the road last season and now hold a 3-12 record all-time against the Terriers at Case Gymnasium.
The afternoon began favorably for the Mountain Hawks, who jumped ahead to a 19-10 lead through the first ten minutes. Much of Lehigh's success came from beyond the three-point line, as the Mountain Hawks shot 55.6% (5-9) from outside in the first half. In addition, Lehigh found an advantage on the glass, out-rebounding BU 19-11 in the frame. Lehigh's effective shooting, control of the boards and excellent defense allowed them to carry a 35-24 lead into halftime.
While the Mountain Hawks held advantages in rebounding and shooting in the first half, the same could not be said in the second. The Terriers came alive from beyond the arc, shooting 80% (8-10) from distance in the second half as opposed to Lehigh's 25% (2-8). BU also tightened things up on the glass, out-rebounding Lehigh 19-8 in the second half and 30-27 overall on the afternoon.
BU pecked away at the lead until the Terriers brought it to within two points in the final minute of the game. Brewster was fouled with :49 remaining and went 1-2 from the line, setting the score at 71-70 in favor of Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks were unable to score on the ensuing possession, which led to another trip to the line for Brewster with only four seconds left on the clock. He knocked down both to give BU their first lead since 14:08 in the first half, and Cam Gillus was unable to knock down a three at the buzzer to secure the win for BU.
Junior Tyler Whitney-Sidney tallied 18 points to lead the Mountain Hawks in front of a large contingent of his family and friends. The Somerville, Massachusetts native also tallied a team-best four assists and tied his career-high of four steals.
Senior Burke Chebuhar and first-year Joshua Ingram joined Whitney-Sidney in double-figures with 11 points each. In addition, both players paced the Mountain Hawks with five rebounds respectively. Also reaching double-digits was Dominic Parolin, who added 10 in what was his tenth game scoring 10+ points this season.
"These guys are gaining valuable experience that, if we utilize it the right way, is going to help us as we progress," said Reed. "I'm disappointed that we weren't able to get this one, but we'll be right back at it."
The Mountain Hawks will host two home games at Stabler Arena next week, starting off with the team's first meeting of the season against Army West Point on Wednesday, February 7. Tip-off is set for 7 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
BU
FG%
.500
.500
3FG%
.412
.588
FT%
.632
.833
RB
27
30
TO
12
13
STL
8
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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