LEHIGH RALLIES TO NIP COLGATE IN OVERTIME 79-77

(Box Score) 

                BETHLEHEM, PA. – Matt Crawford’s basket with one second remaining lifted Lehigh to a come-from-behind 79-77 overtime victory over Colgate Wednesday night at Stabler Arena.

                Lehigh (12-12 overall, 6-4 Patriot League) snaps a six-game losing streak to the Red Raiders and moves into third place in the Patriot League standings, one-half game ahead of Colgate (12-12, 5-4 PL).

                Colgate was paced by freshman Mark Linebaugh with a career-high 27 points, including 21 in the first half, as the Red Raiders held a 47-38 lead at intermission.  Linebaugh made five-of-seven 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds.  Also in double figures for Colgate was Howard Blue with 15 points and Pat Campolieta with 10.  Blue had a team-high nine rebounds, while Campolieta grabbed six.

                Matt Logie was Lehigh’s leading scorer with 18 points, while Crawford finished with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

                In regulation, Colgate held a 73-71 lead on Campolieta’s jumper with seven seconds left, but Lehigh came down the floor and called a timeout with three seconds remaining. Alex Jensen threw up an air-ball on a 3-point attempt but Crawford  grabbed the ball and put in the tying basket.

                In overtime, Colgate jumped out to a 76-73 lead on a free throw by Blue and Linebaugh’s bucket.  Logie put Lehigh back in front 77-76 on two free throws and a basket with 1:07 left.  Blue then tied the game with 35 seconds left on a free throw before Crawford hit the game-winner.