[MoonlightGraham]

December 3, 2023
#14 Lafayette 72, Massachusetts 67
We welcome former assistant Donn McClinton back to the Kirby Center today. His team is winless, and after a 15-15 record last year, Donn's seat might be feeling a bit warm already.

The Minutemen try to take the air out of the basketball against us, but we respond well to the glacial pace of the game, hitting over half our shots and nearly that many from long range.

Byron Shores (15), Kamari Stone (15), and Kenton Lashley (13) divide 43 points nearly perfectly between themselves, and Kurt Ritchie snags 11 rebounds. It's another satisfying win for the #1 mid-major team in the nation. I hope it doesn't hurt Coach McClinton's job security too much.
Record: 9-0.


December 6, 2023
#13 Lafayette 56, @ William & Mary 46
Graham Sims rarely loses his temper, but his team see that side of their coach at halftime in Williamsburg. The Leopards trail a winless Tribe team 28-21 at the intermission, and Sims isn't happy with his team's intensity.

They get the message. A renewed defensive effort and far better shot selection enable Lafayette to win the second half, 35-18, and save themselves from an embarrassing defeat.

The Leopards make only a third of their shots today. Byron Shores leads all scorers with 20, and Micah Rodriguez pitches in 14 in 18 minutes off the bench. Jeffrey Hampton contributes 10 rebounds, and Kurt Ritchie blocks 5 shots.
Record: 10-0.


December 10, 2023
#13 Lafayette 85, Hofstra 77
Coach Sims' boys demonstrate they can win different kinds of basketball games, outgunning a Hofstra team that gives them all they could handle.

Kenton Lashley endures a miserable night (9 points, 3-10 shooting, 7 turnovers), but teammate Byron Shores has his back (27 points, 3-6 from three, 7 rebounds). And Kurt Ritchie is a colossus (17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks). Throw in another 13 points in 14 minutes from Micah Rodriguez, and you get the Leopards' 11th straight W.
Record: 11-0.


December 14, 2023
#10 Lafayette 73, @ St. Francis (NY) 72
The 2019 Final Four team finished with an "official" ranking of #8, but I'm almost positive this is the first time the Leopards have ever cracked the Top Ten in a media poll. We also took every one of the 72 first place votes in the Mid Major poll.

And it takes a three-pointer by Byron Shores with 27 ticks on the clock and a big defensive stop to send off the tenacious Terriers, who enter the game with a 4-3 record.

Four Leopards in double figures are led by super sixth man Micah Rodriguez, who scores 21. Shores knocks in 16, Kenton Lashley 12, and Jeffrey Hampton 10; Hampton also takes in 11 rebounds. Kurt Ritchie grabs 12 boards and blocks 5 shots.

It's a nice team victory against a team that was clearly fired up to beat us.
Record: 12-0.


December 16, 2023
Villanova 86, #10 Lafayette 80
The Wildcats secure the Wells Fargo Center for this Saturday afternoon matchup, featuring the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's marquee basketball program and a team that has perhaps become the best of the rest. The Wildcats enter the game unranked, following a tough loss to Indiana and a shocking loss to Georgia State. The visitors are still the underdogs here, but the gap between the two programs has narrowed considerably.

The sellout crowd is treated to an excellent game that makes both teams look good. Villanova leads, 39-38, after 20 minutes. James Glazier puts on a clinic for those who appreciate the nuances of coaching basketball, and Duncan Sims tries to match him, move for move.

Sims has to reach well down his bench when his players encounter foul trouble. Micah Rodriguez (16) and first year Charles Allen (14) combine for 30 points in reserve, but Rodriguez fouls out and three other Leopards are forced to play long stretches with four fouls. That makes it easier for the Wildcats to do just enough to win.

Former five-star recruit Titus Pound scores 26 for the victors. Byron Shores (13) and Kenton Lashley (11) join Rodriguez and Allen in double digits for Lafayette, and Kurt Ritchie and Jeffrey Hampton finish with 11 rebounds apiece.

It's our first defeat of the season, but it's an honorable one.
Record: 12-1.


December 20, 2023
#15 Lafayette 71, Delaware State 40
Another of Graham's former assistants, Steven Manion, brings his team to the Kirby Center, where he's greeted warmly by Coach Sims and the Lafayette crowd. Then the Leopards combine a 26-point effort by Byron Shores with air-tight defense and close out an easy win.

The Leopards are attentive to details, turning the ball over only four times and making 14 of 15 foul shots. DSU's record is now 5-6, and since Coach Manion has never had a winning season, he might be back on the job market next spring unless the Hornets step up in MEAC play.
Record: 13-1.


December 24, 2023
#15 Lafayette 81, @ Rutgers 70
Once again, we find ourselves trailing at the half after shooting poorly and defending only decently; this time, Rutgers leads us 38-35. However, we have Byron Shores, and the Scarlet Knights do not.

Shores scores 37 points, tying Joe Lien's record for the Graham Sims era at Lafayette. Byron sinks 8 treys, joining Thomas Lucy and Matthew Ackerman atop that leader board.

Kenton Lashley (12), Jeffrey Hampton (12), and Micah Rodriguez (10) join him in double figures, but this is Byron Shores' party.
Record: 14-1.

December 30, 2023
#13 Lafayette 72, Fairfield 41
We hold the Stags to nine first-half points and cruise home from there. Fairfield shot 15-55 for the night. Kurt Ritchie grabs more than his share of all those missed shots, finishing with 12 defensive rebounds and a total of 16. He added 5 blocks and 4 assists for good measure.

Micahwave Rodriguez was again red-hot in a reserve role, leading all scorers with 18 points. Kenton Lashley and Byron Shores were right behind him, with 17 apiece.
Record: 15-1.