BETHLEHEM, PA. ? Monmouth University dropped a 56-39 decision at Lehigh University in men's basketball action on Friday night, in Stabler Arena. Monmouth (2-10) has lost seven straight contests, while Lehigh, winners of three straight, improves to 6-5 on the year.

After Lehigh opened an 11-4 advantage with 13:47 showing, when Matt Szalachowski hit a runner along the baseline, Jhamar Youngblood's three-pointer and Dutch Gaitley's free throw pulled Monmouth within 11-8 with 12:08 left.

Lehigh netted the four points to reclaim a seven-point advantage, but R.J. Rutledge's fast break layup made the score 15-10 with 8:33 left. Dave Buchburger answered with a trifecta from the wing, which was followed by a Phil Anderson trey, to give the Mountain Hawks a 21-11 lead with 7:30 showing.

The Mountain Hawks, who ended the opening half outscoring Monmouth 12-5, over the final eight minutes, held a 27-15 lead at the intermission. Youngblood's lay-in off an offensive rebound with 32 seconds left was Monmouth's lone field goal in the final 8:33 of the stanza.

Lehigh opened a 32-16 advantage 3:05 into the second half when Marquis Hall drained a wing three-pointer, but Yaniv Simpson's trey in front of the Monmouth bench pulled the Hawks within 32-20 with 14:52 remaining.

LU held a 21-point edge at 8:59 when Buchburger drained his second trifecta to give the Mountain Hawks a 46-25 lead. The Hawks scored the next eight points, over a 3:14 span, to pull within 46-33 with 5:45 left, but Lehigh outscored MU, 10-6, over the final 5:12 of the game, to secure the 56-39 victory.

Monmouth, which connected on just 9-of-22 from the foul line, was led in scoring by Simpson's 11 points. Youngblood registered nine points and six rebounds, while Nick DelTufo added seven points.

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, December 30, when the Hawks host in-state rival Princeton University at 4 p.m., in Boylan Gym, in their final non-conference game of the season.