Bucknell University
13-4, 4-0
Lafayette
5-12, 1-3
Bucknell Men Make it 10 Straight Wins, 71-54 over Lafayette
1/21/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Chris McNaughton scored a game-high 17 points and Bucknell's bench contributed 33 points in a 71-54 Patriot League victory over Lafayette before 3,502 spirited fans at Sojka Pavilion on Friday night. The Bison won their 10th straight contest and took over sole possession of first place in the league thanks to Colgate's 61-54 win over Lehigh.
Bucknell (13-4, 4-0) equaled its best 17-game start since 1983-84 and matched the eighth-longest winning streak in school history. The Bison also won their 10th straight Patriot League home game and improved to 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 1994-95 and only the third time ever.
While Bucknell shot a solid 45.1 percent from the field and pulled away with a 42-point second half, defense was again the key to victory for the nation's eighth-ranked defensive team. The Bison held Lafayette (5-12, 1-3) 15 points below its season scoring average by forcing 23 turnovers and 32.1 percent shooting.
Both teams struggled offensively early in the contest as there were only four combined field goals over the first five minutes of play. With the game tied at 9-9, Bucknell took the lead for good with a 6-0 run capped by Chris Niesz's 3-pointer from the right corner. McNaughton's baseline jumper stretched it to 23-12 at the seven-minute mark, but Everest Schmidt's short bank shot with 29 seconds left pulled the Leopards within 29-22 at the break.
Matt Betley's tip-in made it a five-point contest at 37-32, but the Bison dominated the next seven minutes, outscoring Lafayette 14-3 to open a commanding 51-35 lead. Charles Lee's 3-pointer started the run, while Tarik Viaer-McClymont, Niesz, and McNaughton added key shots.
The Bison led by at least 12 the rest of the way, and by as many as 20 at 69-49 after two Abe Badmus free-throws with 1:51 to play.
Bilal Abdullah was the only Lafayette player to reach double figures with 11 points. Andrei Capusan added eight and Jamaal Douglas seven.
John Griffin scored 11 points off the bench for the Bison, while Lee finished with 10. Leading scorer Kevin Bettencourt had an off shooting night with two field goals in 12 attempts for five points. Badmus had another solid all-around night with six points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Bison played the second half without head coach Pat Flannery, who developed health issues through the course of pre-game and the first half. Based on his condition at halftime, he determined that he was unable to join the team for the second half. As with all matters regarding the health and welfare of Bucknell's student-athletes and coaches, the first priority is with their safety and well-being. With that priority in mind, the necessary aid was facilitated. Further details were unknown as of late Friday night. As more information becomes available throughout the weekend, an update will be provided. Assistant coach Nathan Davis assumed head coaching responsibilities in the second half.
Bucknell returns to action on Sunday against Lehigh. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at Sojka Pavilion.
