Freshman McCollum scores 18 of 22 points in second half as Lehigh overcomes Quinnipiac 79-71

McCollum sets pace as Lehigh tops Quinnipiac 79-71

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Freshman C.J. McCollum scored 22 points and Marquis Hall handed out 10 assists as Lehigh defeated Quinnipiac 79-71 Wednesday night for its first victory of the season.

Rob Keefer added 13 points and Michael Ojo 11 for the Mountain Hawks (1-2), who led by 10 points in the first half but saw the Bobcats (1-1) claw back. James Feldeine, who led Quinnipiac with 22 points and 10 rebounds, had a three-point play less than a minute before halftime to give the Bobcats a one-point lead before Lehigh regained a 33-32 edge at intermission.

There were four lead changes in the first three minutes of the second half before Justin Maneri’s layup at the 13:37 mark put Lehigh up for good. McCollum scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half, including four 3-pointers, and Lehigh extended its lead to as many as 12 points, 68-56, on a pair of Maneri free throws at the 3:22 mark.