Posted: 01/25/2013 | Last updated: January 25, 2013 at 07:22 PM
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Coming off a huge win at Bucknell Wednesday night, the Lehigh men’s basketball team returns home Sunday to host archrival Lafayette. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. In sole possession of first place, the Mountain Hawks are riding five straight wins and wins in 13 of their last 15 games. Sunday is also a special Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
In a rematch of last season’s Patriot League Championship Game, Lehigh jumped out to a 27-12 first-half advantage before Bucknell stormed back to take a second-half lead. The lead grew to as many as seven, but the Mountain Hawks wouldn’t back down. Led by a career-high 18 points from junior B.J. Bailey, Lehigh won its third straight game at Bucknell’s Sojka Pavilion, handing the Bison their first home loss of the season. In fact, Bucknell’s last three home losses dating back to last February have all come to Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks’ three-point shooting helped carry the offense as they eclipsed 50 percent from long range for the first time since Dec. 1 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson when they were 11-of-19 (58 percent). Lehigh took care of the basketball, turning the ball over a season-low four times; the Mountain Hawks have only turned the ball over 30 times in their last four games (nine vs. Holy Cross, six at American and 11 against Colgate).
Junior Mackey McKnight bounced back from a tough first half to score 14 of his 17 in the second, including clutch free throws down the stretch. He also grabbed a season-high eight rebounds as Lehigh battled on the glass. Senior Gabe Knutson had nine boards, outrebounding Bucknell’s Mike Muscala who entered with the nation’s most double-doubles (13). Senior Holden Greiner also added seven rebounds to go with his 12 points (including a team-leading 10 first-half points). Wednesday marked only the second time in Bucknell’s last seven games it allowed 60 points, the other being Missouri who’s currently ranked 22nd in the nation. Lehigh has allowed 62 or fewer points in each of its last six games after doing so only once in the first 12 contests.
The Mountain Hawks have won five straight against Lafayette with their last loss coming nearly three full years ago. Lehigh topped Lafayette in the 2010 Patriot League Championship Game, and since swept the Leopards each of the past two seasons.
Sunday’s game is part of Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend. This marks the third straight year the Mountain Hawks will take part in the joint effort of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches to help make a difference in the fight against cancer. Participating coaches nation-wide will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their suits to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society and its vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
Coaches vs. Cancer staff will be on hand with information from the American Cancer Society, along with promotional materials. In addition, items will be sold to raise money for a “wall of hope.” Fans are also encouraged to show their support by wearing sport coats, brown shirts and sneakers to the game. Fans are encouraged to support the cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5.00 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer and help in the search for a cure. With every text from January 21 through April 9, fans will be entered for a chance to win exclusive basketball experiences.
Lafayette enters with a 9-12 record, 2-2 in Patriot League play. The Leopards have enjoyed an up and down season, but have been playing well as of late, winners of four of their last six and six of their last 10. Lafayette has beaten Navy and Holy Cross in league play (both at home) while falling at Army and Bucknell (both on the road). Seth Hinrichs leads the team in scoring (14.2) and rebounding (4.4) while Dan Trist averages 12.7 points and Tony Johnson 11.6 with a team-high 101 assists. Joey Ptasinski comes in at 9.7 points per game, Levi Giese 6.9 and Bryce Scott 6.6. Lafayette played a challenging nonleague schedule, including the likes of Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota and Stanford. The Leopards did pick up a big nonleague victory against two-time defending NEC Champion Long Island.
Lafayette holds a 134-80 lead in the all-time series, but the Mountain Hawks have won five straight spanning nearly three full years. Lehigh’s last loss came on Feb. 20, 2010 by a 90-75 final. The Mountain Hawks rebounded with a 74-59 win in the Patriot League Championship Game and have followed with season sweeps in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The first meeting came back in 1901-02, a 46-13 Lehigh victory. Lehigh won four straight before Lafayette’s first win in 1914-15.
The Mountain Hawks travel to Navy on Wednesday to face the Midshipmen at 7 p.m. before closing out the first round of Patriot League play next Sunday (Feb. 3) at Army.
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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.
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Date:
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January 27, 2013
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Opponent:
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Lafayette Leopards
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Tip-off:
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12:00 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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14-4 overall, 4-0 Patriot League
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Lafayette’s Record:
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9-12, 2-2 Patriot League
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Series:
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Lafayette leads, 134-80
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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 11:30 AM
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Television:
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CBS Sports Network
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Internet Video:
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None
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Behind Enemy Lines:
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