Lehigh defeats Penn State 83-74
Lehigh Takes Down Penn State 83-74 in Thrilling Home Victory
Lehigh proved they're a force to be reckoned with in their own backyard, dispatching visiting Penn State 83-74 on Saturday night at Stabler Arena.
The Mountaineers dominated the first half, building a 49-35 lead that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Lehigh's high-powered offense was clicking on all cylinders, with 18 of its 27 field goal attempts coming from inside the paint. The home team's defensive prowess also limited Penn State to just 29 field goals.
However, in a testament to Penn State's resilience, they managed to close the gap in the second half, narrowing the deficit to as few as three points at one point. The Nittany Lions were able to stay within striking distance due in large part to their ability to get buckets from beyond the arc – 10 of its 24 three-point attempts found their mark.
Despite their efforts, however, Penn State ultimately fell short. Lehigh's steady defense and rebounding allowed them to maintain a comfortable lead down the stretch.
The game was marked by several pivotal moments that made all the difference in the end. One such moment came when Lehigh scored 16 points in a row, showcasing its ability to create mismatches and capitalize on Penn State's defensive lapses.
Penn State struggled to find consistency, however, with many of their scoring opportunities being thwarted by Lehigh's stifling defense. The Mountaineers' success was largely due to the efforts of several players who stepped up to fill the void left by injuries and suspensions earlier in the season.
For Penn State, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, particularly given that it marked their first road game this season against an opponent they had previously beaten. The Nittany Lions' performance will be closely scrutinized as they prepare for upcoming matchups against ranked opponents.
Lehigh, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the top teams in non-conference play. Their victory over Penn State demonstrates that they are capable of competing with any team in the country – a testament to their strength and depth.
Game Leaders
Lehigh (HOME)
* Field Goals: 27/61 (44.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 18/29 (62.1%)
* 3-Point FG: 9/32 (28.0%)
* Free Throws: 20/26 (77.0%)
Penn State (AWAY)
* Field Goals: 29/71 (41.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 19/47 (40.4%)
* 3-Point FG: 10/24 (42.0%)
* Free Throws: 6/8 (75.0%)
Advanced Statistics
Lehigh (HOME)
* eFG%: 51.6%
* FT Rate: 42.6%
* OREB%: 23.9%
Penn State (AWAY)
* eFG%: 47.9%
* FT Rate: 11.3%
* OREB%: 24.2%