Leopards Defeat Quakers
January 8, 2013
Penn’s Greg Louis goes up for a shot in Tuesday’s game as the Quakers’ Dau Jok (20) looks on. (Kris Mendoza/Philahoops)
First, the opening tip off was delayed due to the shot clock being set to 30 seconds instead of 35. After finally getting the shot clock situation worked out, Penn junior guard Miles Cartwright was unable to control the rock, which caused a second jump ball before action finally got under way.
It was an entertaining game at the Palestra between Lafayette (7-10) and Penn (2-12) as the Quakers returned to their home court for the first time since Dec. 8losing a thriller to the Leopards, 85-83, on Tuesday night.
“I didn’t think we deserved to win the game today,” Penn coach Jerome Allen said. “We battled down the stretch and never gave up, but we did not deserve to win the game as a team.”
Penn was looking to end a six-game losing streak dating all the way back to Nov. 28, but the Leopards of Lafayette had other plans behind a marvelous performance from senior point guard Tony Johnson.
Johnson turned in a season-high 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting and as a team Lafayette knocked down 61.2 percent (30-for-49) of its shots from the floor.
“Tony Johnson dominated the game. We could not keep him out of the paint or any of their guards for that matter,” Allen said. “We did not have anyone that could guard Johnson.”
Tuesday’s victory is the first win on the road for Lafayette this season.
“It’s a huge win,” Johnson said. “It’s our first huge road win as well and we needed to figure out how to win on the road over the course of the Patriot League because we all know it doesn’t get any easier from here.”
Penn’s Miles Cartwright goes up for a shot Tuesday night against Lafayette. (Kris Mendoza/Philahoops)
The first half had everybody’s head shifting back in forth due to a fast-paced and high-scoring first frame in which Penn and Lafayette combined for 81 points and seven lead changes in the opening 20 minutes.
The Quakers were able to force 10 Leopards turnovers and get out in transition to take an early lead led by Cartwright and sophomore forward Greg Louis.
Louis entered the game averaging just 4.4 points per game, but utilized his size advantage to score 10 first-half points.
Penn looked crisp early on, but the Quakers’ youth seemed to catch up with them and Lafayette was able to keep it close behind Johnson and guard Seth Hinrichs.
Hinrichs hit a 3-pointer from the wing to give Lafayette the lead with 2:25 left in the first half and although Penn returned the favor with a Dau Jok layup to salvage back the advantage, Penn could not regain the rhythm it maintained early on.
Lafayette came out hot in the second half, taking a 75-60 lead with 7:47 minutes left in the game, but Jok and forward Darien Nelson-Henry helped Penn climb back within 4, at 79-75, thanks to three 3-pointers from Jok.
Jok led the Quakers with 18 points, including four big 3-pointers and Nelson-Henry, a freshman, chipped in with 17 points to pace Penn.
“I thought Dau was great,” Allen said. “He rebounded the ball, he made shots when he was open, he competed. I wish more guys had played with a more sense of urgency like Dau did. He just values every opportunity that he gets whether it’s one minute or 31 minutes, and he just makes plays.”
Penn’s Darien Nelson-Henry looks to get around a Lafayette defender Tuesday. (Kris Mendoza/Philahoops)
With Lafayette in the bonus, forward Dan Trist hit a pair of free throws to give Lafayette a 81-77 lead, but Jok hit a layup and after a missed jump shot by Trist, Penn freshman guard Tony Hicks used his blazing speed to sweep across the lane and lay it up high off the glass to tie it at 81 with 3:14 left.
Bryce Scott hit a 3 to give Lafayette an 84-81 advantage with 1:55 left and after Henry Brooksconverted on a layup to pull the Quakers within 1,Levi Giese converted on 1-2 shots at the line to give Lafayette a two-point lead, 85-83.
Penn got the ball back with 7.5 seconds left and Hicks got the ball off the inbounds drove into the lane and kicked it out to Steve Rennard for a wide-open 3 in the corner that would have won the game for Penn, but Rennard could not hit the shot and Penn’s losing streak now sits at 7 games.
Penn has a very young team and has been going through some rough times, but Lafayette coach and Villanova graduate Fran O’Hanlon had some encouraging words for the inexperienced Quakers.
“I really like (Allen’s) team, his youngsters I think their future is bright,” O’Hanlon said. “They’ve played a hellacious schedule playing LaSalle, Butler and Villanova, that’s not easy to do. I think as you get to this point now it’s the middle of January I think they’re going to be a very good basketball team if this is an indication.”
Penn’s Ivy League schedule will kick into full gear on Saturday when the Quakers travel to Princeton for a 6:00 p.m. tip off.
Article by: Chase Senior
Chase Senior
Beat Writer - Temple
A West Chester, PA native and 2010 Bayard Rustin High School graduate, Chase is entering his sophomore year at Temple University studying Broadcast Journalism. Before transferring to Temple in 2012, he was a sports anchor, and host/co-producer of a sports television and radio talk show at Millersville University. He also covers sports for The Temple Times.
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