Lehigh holds off Saint Peter’s 77-64

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — C.J. McCollum had 23 points as Lehigh held off a furious Saint Peter’s rally to win 77-64 on Wednesday.

The Mountain Hawks (7-6), coming off a 76-49 loss to Southern California, have won three of their last four.

Lehigh led by 23 early in the second half, but the Peacocks (7-6) closed to 63-60 with 4:39 left as Jeron Belin scored 17 of his career-high 28 points.

The Mountain Hawks rebuilt their double-digit lead by hitting 5 of 6 free throws and McCollum added a layup. Saint Peter’s could get no closer than eight the rest of the way.

Lehigh shot only 39.2 percent from the field (20 of 51) and the Peacocks weren’t much better at 39.7 percent (25 of 63).

The Mountain Hawks made up for their poor shooting by making 33 of 43 free throws, while Saint Peter’s was 10 of 22.

Gabe Knutson and Michael Ojo scored 13 points each for Lehigh and Mackey McKnight had 11.