BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s basketball team, seeded fifth in the 16-team NIT Season Tip-Off, will welcome Fairfield, Penn and Fordham as part of a consolation round next Monday (Nov. 19) and Tuesday (Nov. 20). Lehigh will face Fairfield on Monday and Penn on Tuesday, both set for 8:30 p.m. tips. Fordham will play in both early games, which are slated for 6 p.m.
The Mountain Hawks defeated Robert Morris 89-60 in the NIT first round on Monday night before falling to Pittsburgh 78-53 on Tuesday. Lehigh was leading for much of the first half and trailed by only five (35-30) after 20 minutes of play. However, the Panthers proved too much in the second.
Lehigh and Fairfield will meet for the first time since the 1987-88 season. Out of the MAAC, the Stags are 2-1 on the season after defeating Penn in the second round of the NIT Tuesday. Fairfield has won 20 ore more games in each of the past three seasons, going 23-11 in 2009-10, 25-8 in 2010-11 and 22-15 a season ago to advance to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where it advanced all the way to the semifinals.
The Mountain Hawks and Quakers will meet on Tuesday for the first time since the 2001-02 season. The long-time rivalry began way back in 1901-02. Penn went 21-13 a season ago, advancing to the College Basketball Invitational where it defeated Quinnipiac before falling to two-time defending National Finalist Butler. The perennial Ivy League power is 1-2 so far this season, defeating UMBC before falling to Delaware and Fairfield.
Tickets for next week’s games are now available on Lehighsports.com. Just click here to purchase tickets online or call 610-758-4263. One ticket will be good for both games each day.
Check back to Lehighsports.com for more information leading into next week’s NIT Season Tip-Off at Stabler Arena.
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NIT Season Tip-Off Schedule
All Games at Stabler Arena; Bethlehem, Pa.
Monday, November 19
Penn vs. Fordham at 6 p.m.
Lehigh vs. Fairfield at 8:30 p.m.
Penn vs. Fordham at 6 p.m.
Lehigh vs. Fairfield at 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 20
Fairfield vs. Fordham at 6 p.m.
Lehigh vs. Penn at 8:30 p.m.
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