Posted: 02/12/2013
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following a successful 3-0 road trip, the Lehigh men’s basketball team returns home to host American Wednesday night. Tipoff in Stabler Arena is set for 7 p.m. The Mountain Hawks have won eight of their last nine as they remain in first place in the Patriot League with a 7-1 league mark. Junior Mackey McKnight has led the way of late, eclipsing 20 points in two straight games, most recently scoring 22 as Lehigh won at Holy Cross for only the second time in its last 19 tries.
For the last two weeks, McKnight has earned honorable mention recognition on the Patriot League weekly honor roll. He knocked down 11-of-12 free throws Saturday at Holy Cross, including seven of eight in the final 1:07 to help seal the victory. Saturday’s game tipped at 7 p.m. instead of the original time of 4 p.m. due to a blizzard in the Northeast which dumped nearly 30 inches of snow in Worcester.
Junior B.J. Bailey added 10 points (his fifth straight double-digit scoring game) along with a career-high four assists and three steals. Senior Holden Greiner scored nine of his 13 points in the first half while senior Gabe Knutson added 14. Junior Anthony D’Orazio was strong with nine points and six rebounds while taking a big late-game charge.
The Holy Cross victory marked Lehigh’s fifth straight on the road, ninth in its last 10 games away from home and ninth straight over a Patriot League foe (dating back to last season). Bucknell is tied for the nation’s lead in road wins (10) while the Mountain Hawks are right behind with nine. The two sides will meet in less than a week (Monday, Feb. 18) in a highly-anticipated game in Stabler Arena. That game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Greiner was especially strong in the first meeting with American, scoring a season-high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Lehigh fell down by 14 midway through the first half, but turned it around to win 63-57. With a win on Wednesday, Lehigh head coach Brett Reed would reach 112 for his career to tie Tony Packer for the school record. It would come in 145 less games (325 to 180).
American has impressed as of late, winning two straight to pull even at 4-4 in league play. The Eagles defeated Lafayette and Colgate after nearly upsetting Bucknell. American is currently in sole possession of fourth place in the league and would have a home game in the Patriot League Quarterfinals if the season ended today.
Lehigh is eying its fourth straight win on Wednesday and ninth in its last 10 games. The Mountain Hawks are looking to beat American for a third straight game and third straight at home.
After falling to 2-3 in Patriot League play, American has been strong as of late. The Eagles nearly defeated Bucknell at home, falling on a last-second shot by Mike Muscala. They followed with a hard-fought win against Lafayette before beating Colgate last time out. American is 6-5 at home this season, but just 3-9 on the road. Stephen Lumpkins leads the way with a team-leading 15.2 points and 9.4 rebounds. Daniel Munoz and Patriot League Player of the Week John Schoof are next with 10.4 and 10.0 points, respectively. Blake Jolivette comes in at 7.7 and Tony Wroblicky 7.4, respectively. Munoz owns a team-leading 83 assists.
American leads the all-time series 22-17, but the Mountain Hawks have won two in a row and three of the last five. Lehigh snapped a two-game losing streak at Bender Arena with a 63-57 win earlier this season. The Mountain Hawks won both home games against American last year, including a dominant 85-66 win in the Patriot League Semifinals. The sides first met during the 1960-61 season, a 71-61 American victory. Lehigh’s first win came in 1964-65, a 63-47 final.
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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.
The Mountain Hawks head to Colgate on Saturday before returning home to host Bucknell next Monday (Feb. 18) on CBS Sports Network.
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Date:
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February 13, 2013
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Opponent:
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American Eagles
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Tip-off:
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7:00 PM
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Arena/Capacity:
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Stabler Arena/5,600
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Location:
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Bethlehem, Pa.
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Lehigh’s Record:
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17-5 overall, 7-1 Patriot League
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Lafayette’s Record:
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9-14, 4-4 Patriot League
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Series:
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American leads, 22-17
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Radio:
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Live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM and Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr and Greg Falkenbach ‘72. Pregame coverage gets underway at 6:30 PM
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Television:
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Service Electric 2 Sports
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Internet Video:
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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