Last updated: 7:34 a.m.

Penn 85, Lafayette 63: The Quakers built a 47-39 halftime lead, then opened the second half with a 12-2. Lafayette never got closer than 15 the rest of the night.

Tim Begley, Penn's leading scorer, was 1-for-7 from the field, scoring only three points. Begley still managed to make a big impression on Corky Blake of the Express-Times

:. . . the shaggy-haired 6-foot-5 senior dominated the Quakers' 85-63 victory over the Leopards before 2,011 Kirby Sports Center spectators.

Begley shredded Lafayette (5-11) with a school-record tying 13 assists and he sparked Penn's defense, which put the clamps on the Leopards in the opening eight minutes of the second half, with four steals. For good measure, Begley added six rebounds.

Interesting quote from Penn coach Fran Dunphy in the Philadelphia Inquirer story. Alluding to his former assistant, Fran O'Hanlon's situation as the coach of the only non-scholarship team in what has become a scholarship league, Dunphy said:

"I honestly think that (O'Hanlon) is as good a basketball coach as I know. The stuff he gets out of the guys that he has is pretty spectacular. I can't imagine there's a more difficult situation to put somebody in."

Mike Kern of the Philly Daily News noted:

It was the Quakers' 19th consecutive win over a Patriot League opponent.

We also might point out the Quakers' win completed the season series between the non-scholarship Ivies and the scholarship Patriots with the Ivies on top 13-10.

With Lafayette in the midst of a three-game losing streak, does our previous prediction that the Leopards could end up being a spoiler in conference play still stand? You betcha. After the game, O'Hanlon to Andre Williams of the Morning Call:

"This is a work in progress. I think we will be better in February than we are in January."

We have no reason to doubt O'Hanlon. Remember, between Jan. 28 and Feb. 26, the four teams considered contenders all have to make a trip to Easton.
Daily Pennsylvanian (3 stories) | Lafayette recap | Box score

Iona at Holy Cross, 7:30 p.m: After holding Iona to 22 points in the first half, the Crusaders made sure the Gaels would not mount a comeback by hitting all eight three-pointers they shot in the second half. Kevin Hamilton led all scorers with a career-high 24 points, including 5 treys. Keith Simmons was 4-for-5 from outside the arc, finishing with 14 points.

Defensively, HC forced 24 turnovers, converting them into 30 points.

Here are a few notes gleaned from Bill Doyle's story in the Telegram & Gazette (subscription required, so we don't link):

All five of Hamilton’s 3-pointers came in the second half. Had Hamilton not sat out the final 9:49 with the game well in hand, he may have challenged the HC record for most 3s in a game. Rob Feaster made seven against New Hampshire on Nov. 25, 1994. Hamilton and Keith Simmons each made six treys earlier this season. . . .

Sophomore Torey Thomas, HC’s regular starting point guard, did not start and played only two minutes because of a slightly separated left shoulder suffered Saturday against Colgate. Thomas received a cortisone injection yesterday. Willard said it would be four to six weeks before Thomas fully healed, but he could continue to play. Willard expects Thomas to play more Friday when Navy visits the Hart Center.

Freshman Pat Doherty made his first career start in Thomas’ place and played a team-high 35 minutes. He turned the ball over 6 times, but he collected 7 points and 8 assists.

AP wrap | Box score