Posted: 02/07/2013
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Winners of seven of its last eight, the Lehigh men’s basketball team begins the second round of Patriot League play when it heads to Holy Cross Saturday. Tipoff against the Crusaders is set for 4 p.m. The Mountain Hawks look to reverse their recent fortune at the Hart Center and win there for just the second time in their last 19 tries. One came in 2010 when Gabe Knutson scored a career-high 31 points to lead Lehigh to a 78-60 win.
Lehigh got off to a quick start at Army Sunday, taking as much as a 22-point lead late in the first half before fending off a Black Knights’ charge for an 85-76 victory. The Mountain Hawks hit 13 of their first 16 shots, including five of their first seven three-pointers. In one stretch, Lehigh knocked down a three-pointer in five straight possessions. Three came from junior Anthony D’Orazio, who posted 13 of his 15 points in the first half. He grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds as well for his first-career double-double.
Five Mountain Hawks finished with double-figure points for the first time since Dec. 4 vs. Fordham. Knutson scored 18, his highest output since Dec. 20 against North Texas (10 games ago). Junior Mackey McKnight had a team-leading 21 points, his fifth-career 20-point game and third this season. Senior Holden Greiner and junior B.J. Bailey each eclipsed double figures late, scoring 11 and 10, respectively. It marked Bailey’s fourth straight double-digit scoring game.
A battle of the Patriot League’s top two scoring offenses didn’t disappoint, combining for 161 points. Lehigh eclipsed 80 points in league play for the first time. The Mountain Hawks shot 50 percent or better from the floor for the first time since Jan. 12 against Holy Cross when they were 28-of-54 (51.9 percent).
Lehigh improved to 8-1 without star senior C.J. McCollum this season. The defense has stepped up in league play, allowing just 59.1 points per game and 39.2 percent shooting versus 68.9 and 41 percent in nonleague action. The Mountain Hawks are especially strong at the three-point line, standing second nationally in three-point shooting and seventh in defending the three.
The Mountain Hawks look to continue their recent road success. After losses at Baylor and Pittsburgh, Lehigh has won eight of its last nine away from home, with the only loss coming at VCU. The Mountain Hawks have also won eight straight road games against Patriot League foes (dating back to last season).
Holy Cross enters with a 10-12 overall record, 2-5 in Patriot League play. The Crusaders began league play 2-1 (beating Navy and American after falling at Lehigh), but have lost four straight since: at Lafayette, home vs. Bucknell and Army, and at Colgate. Holy Cross is 5-3 at home this season, 4-8 on the road and 1-1 at neutral sites. Dave Dudzinski leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game, but was held to just seven in the first meeting at Lehigh. Justin Burrell averages 12.7 points to go with a team-leading 71 assists. Phil Beans comes in at 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds, second on the team behind Dudzinski who pulls down a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per contest.
Lehigh has won the last two meetings against Holy Cross to pull within 35-17 in the all-time series. The Mountain Hawks have won five of their last seven, with their only two losses coming on the road. Lehigh has lost 17 of its last 18 games at Holy Cross’ Hart Center with the lone win coming in 2010 when Knutson (then a freshman) scored a career-high 31 points to lead the Mountain Hawks to a 78-60 win. The first ever meeting came in 1976, an 84-60 Holy Cross victory, before reconvening in 1991 for Patriot League play.
The Mountain Hawks return home on Wednesday to host American at 7 p.m. before hitting the road once again next Saturday (Feb. 16) at Colgate.
Like Lehigh Men’s Basketball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content, team updates and more. Click here to vote C.J. McCollum for the Senior CLASS Award.
Individual and season tickets are on sale and may be purchased on Lehighsports.com, over the phone (610-758-4263) or in-person at Stabler Arena, Monday-through-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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Date:
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February 9, 2013
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Opponent:
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Holy Cross Crusaders
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Tip-off:
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4:00 PM
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Arena/Capacity:
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Hart Center/3,500
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Location:
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Worcester, Mass.
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Lehigh’s Record:
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16-5 overall, 6-1 Patriot League
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Holy Cross’ Record:
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10-12 overall, 2-5 Patriot League
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Series:
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Holy Cross leads, 35-17
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Radio:
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Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM and Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr. Pregame coverage gets underway at 3:30 PM
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Television:
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None
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Internet Video:
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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