Lehigh looks to extend win streak vs. Fordham Tuesday

After the Knights took a 2-0 lead, Lehigh answered with incredible runs of 23-0 (and eventually 32-1) to take immediate control. It marked the Mountain Hawks’ 10th consecutive home win and 10th straight over an NEC foe. In the process, Reed became the fastest coach in league history to 100 career wins (in 165 games), one game quicker than Holy Cross’ Ralph Willard. Reed will be honored prior to Tuesday’s game for the accomplishment. Fans can make a difference Tuesday through a special Toys for Tots drive in partnership with ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM. Bring an unwrapped today and as a thank you, receive a coupon for a free concessions item.

Lehigh and Fordham have played in the same venue on four occasions this season, but the sides will square off for the first time on Tuesday. The Mountain Hawks and Rams both played at Pitt in the NIT Season Tip-Off then again at Stabler Arena in a consolation bracket. Lehigh is looking for its second straight win over Fordham after pulling away for a 78-60 victory last season. That marked the Mountain Hawks’ first-ever win over an Atlantic 10 foe; Lehigh’s previous win over Fordham came on Jan. 11, 1995 when the Rams were in the Patriot League.

Senior Gabe Knutson has quietly moved up the Lehigh career scoring list as he enters Tuesday with 1,220 career points, needing just 11 to pass Austen Rowland for 18th in school history while 12 moves him past Norm Brandl into sole possession of 17th.

The Mountain Hawks’ offense has continued to thrive as the squad now averages a league-leading 80.5 points per game, more than seven points better than second-place Army (73.2). Lehigh scored 100 points on Saturday for the first time since 2004 (a 111-104 overtime loss to Lafayette) and the first time in a win since 1994 (105-89 victory over Cornell). The 40-point margin of victory marked its largest against a Division I opponent since 1989, a 95-54 win over Colgate.

Lehigh played tremendous team basketball on Saturday, assisting on 29 of 38 made field goals. Sophomore Corey Schaefer and junior Anthony D’Orazio each posted career highs in assists with five and four, respectively.

The Mountain Hawks shot a sizzling 38 percent from the floor (38-of-60) and 58 percent from three-point range (11-of-19). It marked Lehigh’s best three-point percentage since Mar. 7, 2010 in the Patriot League Semifinals vs. American; the Mountain Hawks were 62 percent from downtown (8-of-13) in that contest.

Fordham has struggled to begin the year, bringing in a 1-6 record to Tuesday’s game. The Rams have been without star post player Chris Gaston, who is averaging 11.3 points and 8.7 rebounds through three games before suffering an injury. The Rams’ win came in Stabler Arena against Penn (70-68) while the squad has lost four games by 10 points or less including Fairfield (74-71), Manhattan (65-58) and Harvard (73-64). Branden Frazier leads the team in scoring (16.6) while Gaston (11.3), Bryan Smith (9.4) and Travion Leonard (6.7) are right behind. In total, seven Fordham players are averaging five points or more. Frazier also leads the team in total assists (31) and rebounding (3.9/game). The Rams have struggled on the boards without Gaston, being outrebounded by an average of 7.4 on the season.

Fordham leads the all-time series, 12-8, but Lehigh won last season’s meeting 78-60. Prior to that, Lehigh hadn’t won since the 1994-95 campaign when Fordham was part of the Patriot League. In total, the Rams won six straight from 1991-92 through the 1993-94 season. Lehigh won the first four meetings (beginning in 1913-14) and four of the first five.

Lehigh will head to Saint Francis (Pa.) on Saturday to face the Red Flash at 2 p.m. in the final game before final exams. The Mountain Hawks will have 12 days between games before heading to North Texas on Dec. 20.

Like Lehigh Men’s Basketball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content, team updates and more.

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.