Lehigh suffers defeat as Tyler Whitney-Sidney shines in loss

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lehigh Mountain Hawks faced the Marist Red Foxes in a college basketball matchup. This game occurred after Lehigh's recent challenge against the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash, where Lehigh lost with a final score of 88-78. Notably, Lehigh's player Tyler Whitney-Sidney put forth an impressive performance, scoring 21 points. Meanwhile, the Marist Red Foxes entered the game with a record of 4-1, juxtaposed against Lehigh's 1-5 record at that time. As the game unfolded, Lehigh demonstrated its capability at home, having won their prior home game against Marist, contributing to their 1-0 record at their venue. Defensively, Lehigh has struggled throughout the season, allowing their opponents to score an average of 79.5 points per game. This statistic highlights a concerning trend wherein the Mountain Hawks have been outscored by an average of 9.3 points per game. In contrast, Marist has showcased a solid defense, ranking fourth in the MAAC with an average of 23.2 defensive rebounds per game, largely influenced by Jadin Collins, who contributes an average of 4.0 defensive rebounds per game. Marist has also found success in road games with one win out of two, further emphasizing their competitive spirit. During the game, offensive strategies played a significant role. Lehigh made an average of 8.7 three-pointers per game, which slightly exceeded the 7.8 that Marist typically allows. The contest saw solid performances from key players; Keith Higgins Jr. is notable for shooting 48.8% on the field, averaging 18.5 points per game for the Mountain Hawks. Simultaneously, Josh Pascarelli has been lethal from beyond the arc, maintaining a shooting percentage of 54.8% and averaging 19.4 points, supported by 3.4 three-pointers made per game for the Red Foxes. This game thus represented a clash of both offensive might and defensive prowess, with the outcome significantly influencing the overall standings of both teams in the ongoing season.