Lehigh University Athletics

Lehigh Wins Fourth Patriot League Championship In 74-60 Victory Over Boston University

3/12/2026 12:33:00 AM | Men's Basketball

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In front of a packed Stabler Arena crowd of 4,323, Lehigh men's basketball brought home the 2026 Patriot League Championship in a 74-60 win over the Boston University Terriers on Wednesday evening. Four Mountain Hawks scored in double-figures to lead a balanced offensive and defensive performance in the victory.

"I'm incredibly proud of this team," said Murray H. Goodman '48 head coach

After being picked eighth in the Patriot League preseason poll, Lehigh (18-16, 11-7 PL) has won its fourth overall Patriot League title and third under the direction of Reed. The Mountain Hawks will compete in March Madness for the first time since 2012.

Lehigh extended its lead to five on a bucket from

The Mountain Hawks held a ten-point advantage through the first media timeout of the second half. A Chance Gladden bucket trimmed BU's deficit to eight before Kramer rose up to block the seven-foot Defty, allowing Benoit to extend the lead to 11 on an and-one finish. A Vazquez free throw pushed the Lehigh lead to twelve out of the under 12 media timeout.

After a pair of Azmar Abdullah free throws set the score at 50-40,

Two Whitlock free throws extended Lehigh's advantage to 17 with under five minutes remaining in the game. The Mountain Hawks led by as many as 21 before BU trimmed the lead down to 12, but it was all little too late. Lehigh made its free throws in the final minutes to clinch the championship victory.

Lehigh posted shooting splits of 43.6% (24-55) from the field, 47.4% (9-19) from three, and 70.8% (17-24) from the free throw line. Despite entering the game shooting over 40% from three as a team, BU was limited to just 6.3% (1-16) from distance. The Mountain Hawks won the battle on the glass 36-31, moving Lehigh's record to a perfect 12-0 when they outrebound their opponent.

"The signature of a team that's going to win a championship is one that can defend," said Reed. "It's all of our guys buying in to try to do it together."

Whitlock paced the Mountain Hawks offensively, scoring 18 points to go along with four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Whitlock was named Tournament MVP.

Ingram finished the night with 15 points, six rebounds, three triples, and two blocks. Benoit provided 15 points on 5-10 shooting with seven rebounds and a steal. Alvey posted a near double-double of 14 points and nine rebounds to go along with five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Both Ingram and Alvey were named to the Patriot League All-Tournament team.

Defty led the Terriers with a game-high 21 points while McNair (14p), Gladden (11p), and Donte Tisinger Jr. (10p) also reached double-figures for BU.

The Mountain Hawks now await Sunday's selection show to see their seeding and opponent in the NCAA Tournament.

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Chance Gladden, Boston University, Fr., G

Ben Defty, Boston University, So., F/C

Aidan Kehoe, Navy, Sr., C

THE LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS ARE YOUR 2025-26 PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 🏆

— Lehigh Men's Basketball (@LehighMBB)[#GoLehigh][pic.twitter.com/fHp7jtOwkv][March 12, 2026]

"I'm incredibly proud of this team," said Murray H. Goodman '48 head coach

Brett Reed. "They decided to have unity, they decided to put everything else aside, believe in what we are doing, believe in each other, and now we get the rewards and benefits of it. These kids have worked so hard and they've earned this moment."After being picked eighth in the Patriot League preseason poll, Lehigh (18-16, 11-7 PL) has won its fourth overall Patriot League title and third under the direction of Reed. The Mountain Hawks will compete in March Madness for the first time since 2012.

Edouard Benoitopened the game scoring five-straight points for the Mountain Hawks on a hook shot and catch-and-shoot three. The Terriers (17-17) responded with an 8-0 run before another Benoit triple tied the game 8-8. BU earned a four-point advantage before the Mountain Hawks regained a 15-12 lead on a 7-0 run at the under 12 media timeout.Lehigh extended its lead to five on a bucket from

Hank Alveyout of the break before the Terriers trimmed their deficit to one on two buckets from Michael McNair. AfterNasir Whitlockknocked down two at the line, aJalen Vazqueztriple gave Lehigh a six-point advantage with 7:08 to go.Peter Kramerdrilled a corner three that put Lehigh up by seven with 3:47 to play in the first half.Joshua Ingramknocked down a three with under three minutes to go in the half, giving Lehigh a 38-28 advantage and forcing a BU timeout. Two Ben Defty free throws brought BU within eight, but a Whitlock triple in the final seconds of the first half sent Lehigh to locker room leading 41-30.👀

— Patriot League (@PatriotLeague)[@][LehighMBB]'s[Nasir Whitlock]is at it again! Tune in for second-half action on[@CBSSportsNet].[@MarchMadnessMBB][pic.twitter.com/h6wo7igaxL][March 12, 2026]

The Mountain Hawks held a ten-point advantage through the first media timeout of the second half. A Chance Gladden bucket trimmed BU's deficit to eight before Kramer rose up to block the seven-foot Defty, allowing Benoit to extend the lead to 11 on an and-one finish. A Vazquez free throw pushed the Lehigh lead to twelve out of the under 12 media timeout.

After a pair of Azmar Abdullah free throws set the score at 50-40,

Andrew Urosevicconnected on a three off an offensive rebound to extend the lead to 13. Lehigh's lead ballooned to 16 on buckets from Alvey and Ingram with under eight minutes remaining in the game.Two Whitlock free throws extended Lehigh's advantage to 17 with under five minutes remaining in the game. The Mountain Hawks led by as many as 21 before BU trimmed the lead down to 12, but it was all little too late. Lehigh made its free throws in the final minutes to clinch the championship victory.

LEHIGH IS GOING DANCING!

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB)

They defeat BU 74-60 in the[@PatriotLeague]Conference Tournament Championship Game and punch their ticket to the dance![pic.twitter.com/wvFvC2yiLa][March 12, 2026]

Lehigh posted shooting splits of 43.6% (24-55) from the field, 47.4% (9-19) from three, and 70.8% (17-24) from the free throw line. Despite entering the game shooting over 40% from three as a team, BU was limited to just 6.3% (1-16) from distance. The Mountain Hawks won the battle on the glass 36-31, moving Lehigh's record to a perfect 12-0 when they outrebound their opponent.

"The signature of a team that's going to win a championship is one that can defend," said Reed. "It's all of our guys buying in to try to do it together."

Whitlock paced the Mountain Hawks offensively, scoring 18 points to go along with four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Whitlock was named Tournament MVP.

Ingram finished the night with 15 points, six rebounds, three triples, and two blocks. Benoit provided 15 points on 5-10 shooting with seven rebounds and a steal. Alvey posted a near double-double of 14 points and nine rebounds to go along with five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Both Ingram and Alvey were named to the Patriot League All-Tournament team.

Defty led the Terriers with a game-high 21 points while McNair (14p), Gladden (11p), and Donte Tisinger Jr. (10p) also reached double-figures for BU.

The Mountain Hawks now await Sunday's selection show to see their seeding and opponent in the NCAA Tournament.

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, follow onFacebook(formerly Twitter) andXfor continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.Instagram****2026 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship MVP –Nasir Whitlock, Lehigh, Jr. G2026 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Men's Basketball All-Tournament Team -

Nasir Whitlock, Lehigh, Jr., GHank Alvey, Lehigh, So., F/CJoshua Ingram, Lehigh, Jr., G/FChance Gladden, Boston University, Fr., G

Ben Defty, Boston University, So., F/C

Aidan Kehoe, Navy, Sr., C

Team Stats

BU

Lehigh

FG%

.377

.436

3FG%

.063

.474

FT%

.826

.708

RB

31

36

TO

9

7

STL

5

5

Game Leaders

Players Mentioned

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