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Username Post: Army Recap and Observations        (Topic#7124)
LU65 
Sophomore
Posts: 133

Reg: 07-30-06
02-17-08 12:17 PM - Post#43985    

Lehigh's 5 point win (58-53) over Army last night was definitely not pretty. Then again, name me a game in recent memory that was. It's February in the PL. Get used to it and appreciate the defensive intensity with which these student athletes are asked to play the game. It a far cry from what you'll see watching the NBA or top-flight college basketball programs. It's also not what these students were called upon to do in high school when, no doubt, most of them were their team's leading scorers and star performers. Welcome now to trench warfare in the PL. If you were among the 2085 on hand last night, you know what I mean and sat marveled at the way Dave Buchberger, Prentice Small, Matt Szalachowski, and Matt Shamis all took turns chasing Jarell Brown around the court and in the end limiting him to his usual 19 points on 8 for 19 shooting (1 for 3 from three when he normally gets of 8 long distance shots per game), fighting through wide-body road blocks and perfectly set screens. It was bruising and it hurt just to watch, but their play and tenacity - in holding Jerell in check - meant as much to the team in securing the win as Zahir's 19 points and 5 rebounds. Such play too often goes overlooked. Expect more of it. It's February in the PL.

Other observations:

Prentice Small's funk continues as he goes 0-4 from the field last night (0-8 in 36 minutes of February play) and nets just 3 points from the line. The lightning fast Freshman guard too often loses control of the ball and is prone to turnovers (six so far in his 3 February appearances).

Marquis Hall is back! Sinking his first two threes last night, you just knew it. He has hit double figures in each of his last six games and has averaged 16.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg over that stretch of time.

Senior tri-captain, Bryan White, can be counted on to give you a key stop or defensive rebound when most needed, regardless of how's he feeling. Under the weather last night, BWhite came off the bench to stabilize matters on more than one occasion, yank down a rebound or two in crucial moments, and in the final minutes of play sank 4 for 4 pressure free throws to ice the game. All in a night's work for the big guy.

Rebounding remains a problem and an inconsistent part of our play. Army topped us by one last night 32-31 and outscored us in the paint (24 to 18), where it was expected we had the advantage.

Shooting 6-21 in the second halves of games, as we did last night, won't cut it.

It's good to play at home. The crowd was into it last night and was no doubt a factor in limiting Army to 0 points of FGs in the last 2:28 minutes of play. Now, if only they'll return in numbers for the BU and HC games to close out the season on 2/27 and 2/29.

Next up: Colgate on Wednesday up in Hamilton, NY.

 
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