[MoonlightGraham]

December 4, 2024
@Lafayette 71, Creighton 65
Creighton's program is one of the standard bearers for mid-major basketball. The Blue Jays have fallen on harder times lately, since talented coach Leonard Norfleet left them for Kansas State. However, they're still a tough opponent, and this is a nice win for Coach Sims and the boys.

The Leopards frontcourt carries the scoring load tonight. Once again, it's Carl McGriff leading the way with 18 points. Jeffrey Hampton pitches in 14, and Kurt Ritchie contributes 10.

Meanwhile, Kenton Lashley manages only 3 points before fouling out, and Micah Rodriguez scores 4 in 20 minutes.

I have to wonder how good this team will be when K-Lash hits his stride.
Record: 3-1.


December 6, 2024
@Lafayette 82, Siena 64
Kenton Lashley must have been listening.

Today, he breaks loose with a career-high 31 points. He sinks all 5 of his three-point attempts and all 10 of his free throws. He adds 4 assists and 2 steals. Today, Kenton played like the consensus five-star talent he is.

Micah Rodriguez returns to form, too: 16 points in 20 minutes. Kurt Ritchie doesn't score, but he pulls down 13 rebounds and blocks 5 shots. And Carter Todd plays 19 minutes and claims 7 rebounds of his own.

It's the most complete game of basketball we've played all year. Unfortunately, it comes at the expense of Siena coach Thomas Liang, who has several championship rings in his collection from his days as an assistant on College Hill.
Record: 4-1.


December 6, 2024
@Lafayette 99, Hartford 71
Kenton Lashley imposes his will on another basketball game today, scoring 28 points as we rout the Hawks at the Kirby Center.

Four other Leopards reach double figures: Micah Rodriguez and Jeffrey Hampton (16 each), Charles Allen (13), and Carl McGriff (10). Kamari Stone keeps the scorers happy with 7 assists, and commits only 2 turnovers.

We'd have broken 100 points easily if we'd been better from the line, where we shot 20-for-33.
Record: 5-1.


December 7, 2024
Lafayette 69, @Virginia 60
Sometimes weird things happen when I schedule only some of our non-conference games...such as games on back-to-back nights in the middle of a week. We survive our trip to Charlottesville just fine, although the Cavaliers battle us hard.

Determined to make sure Kenton Lashley doesn't beat them, the Hoos defend him well and hold him to 6 points. Lashley gets in foul trouble, so he plays only 20 minutes, but he still gets 7 rebounds.

Sixth man Micah Rodriguez delivers a vintage performance, scoring 21 points in 26 minutes. Carl McGriff (12) and Jeffrey Hampton (11) also reach double digits, and Kurt Ritchie does so in rebounds (13).

And Duncan Sims packs a lot of highlights into 3 minutes of action. He drains two long threes and attempts a dunk, only to be fouled emphatically by Virginia's Richard Peek, who has four inches and 35 pounds on him. Duncan then coolly makes both free throws, giving him 8 points.

And a good time was had by all.
Record: 6-1.


December 15, 2024
@Lafayette 68, Villanova 61
The Leopards win their 34th consecutive home game tonight, setting a new record. We won 33 in a row between 2018 and 2021. Again, it's Kenton Lashley who takes center stage, scoring 24 points, hitting 6 of his 7 three-point tries, and handing out 6 assists.

He's the only Leopard in double figures, although Micah Rodriguez comes close with 9, and reserve center Carter Todd contributes 7 rebounds.

Until today, Graham Sims had never won a game against his alma mater. Villanova's loss drops their record to 3-3. Is James Glazier's seat getting warm?
Record: 7-1.


December 17, 2024
#18 Lafayette 63, @St. Peter's 53
Our win over Villanova propels us into the polls for the first time this season, and lifts us to #1 in the Mid Major rankings. We struggle a bit against a St. Peter's team that's won only one time this season before we put them away.

Someone once said that "defense doesn't slump." They might have been talking about baseball, but it might apply just as well in basketball. On a night when we don't generate good scoring opportunities, we make sure the Peacocks don't find good shots, either. We hold them to 33% shooting, and 9-for-26 from distance.

Two Leopards achieve career bests today! Kurt Ritchie grabs 17 rebounds. If we can extend our season with long tournament runs, Kurt has a chance to finish his career with 1000 career rebounds, passing our all-time leader, Matt Robles (964), along the way. Charles Allen scores a career-high 17 points to lead us in scoring. Micah Rodriguez adds 11 more, and Jeffrey Hampton completes a double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Record: 8-1.


December 19, 2024
@#18 Lafayette 80, La Salle 63
It's Micah Rodriguez' turn to light the scoreboard up at the Kirby Center. In 26 minutes of reserve duty, the electric junior scores 27 points.

Kenton Lashley (18 points), Jeffrey Hampton (15 points, 9 rebounds) and Kamari Stone (5 points, 7 assists) also play particularly well.
Record: 9-1.


December 21, 2024
#18 Lafayette 89, @Temple 49
In one of the more dominant performances of the Graham Sims era, the Leopards trounce Temple on their home court.

Kurt Ritchie sets the tone, with 8 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocked shots. Kenton Lashley's 16 points lead a balanced attack, followed by Charles Allen (15), Jeffrey Hampton (14), and Micah Rodriguez (13). Kamari Stone deals out 5 assists.

We make 32 of our 58 shots. Temple makes 22 of their 68. Well done, Leopards.
Record: 10-1.


December 23, 2024
@ #12 Lafayette 90, Kent State 66
The hero tonight is Charles Allen, who seizes the opportunity that's given to him when Micah Rodriguez fouls out and Kenton Lashley simply has an off night. The sophomore guard plays 23 minutes, scores 22 points, grabs 4 rebounds, and dishes out 3 assists.

Jeffrey Hampton contributes a double-double, with 15 points and 10 boards. Rodriguez and Kamari Stone score 12, Carl McGriff 10. Duncan Sims makes the most of 6 minutes of time, sinking two free throws and handing out two assists.
Record: 11-1.


December 31, 2024
@ #3 Vanderbilt 66, #12 Lafayette 60
After a welcome holiday break, the Leopards travel to Nashville for a nationally televised clash between two ranked teams. The game is as competitive as the network hoped it would be.

We have problems with Jefferson Beaumont, whose name says "Texas" to me. In fact, that's where JB is from. His 18/11 double-double sparks the Commodores to victory.

Kenton Lashley (17 points), Micah Rodriguez (13), and Carl McGriff (10) lead the Leopards. Kurt Ritchie finishes with 11 rebounds, and Kamari Stone has 4 assists.

We commit too many fouls and turn the ball over too much, and you can't do that against a team as good as Vanderbilt and hope to win.
Record: 11-2.