Lehigh University Athletics

Lehigh Falls to Holy Cross in PL Championship Game

3/15/2026 4:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

WORCESTER, Mass. - No. 2 seed Holy Cross defeated Lehigh 77-70 on Sunday afternoon in the Patriot League Championship game. With the win, Holy Cross earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Bramer and Edwards were named to the 2026 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team.

All five members of the Crusaders' starting lineup scored in double figures, with Meg Cahalan, Kaitlyn Flanagan and Simone Foreman each scoring 16 points to tie for the team lead. As a team, Holy Cross shot 51% from the field and went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line.

Lehigh and Holy Cross traded baskets early, and a Bramer 3-pointer put Lehigh ahead 9-8 midway through the first quarter. The Crusaders closed the period on an 8-2 run to take a 17-11 lead after one quarter.

Holy Cross carried its momentum from the first quarter into the second, building a 28-14 lead with 6:16 remaining in the period. Another 3-pointer from Bramer, followed by a 3-pointer from

Early third-quarter baskets from Bramer and

After Lehigh took the lead, the Crusaders responded with a quick run to retake the advantage, one they would not relinquish. Holy Cross built its lead to nine before Edwards knocked down a 3-pointer late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to six entering the fourth, 54-48.

A 3-pointer from Bramer, followed by a layup from Lind between Holy Cross baskets, cut the deficit to three with 8:20 to play. Lehigh would get no closer in the fourth quarter, and Holy Cross eventually pulled away from the Mountain Hawks to win the Patriot League Championship, 77-70.

Kaitlyn Flanagan, Holy Cross, Sr., G

Meg Cahalan, Holy Cross, Sr., F

Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, Jr., G

Belle Bramerled the way for Lehigh with a career-high 24 points, shooting 9-of-12 from the field and 3-of-3 from 3-point range.Leia Edwardsrecorded her second straight double-double, scoring 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc while grabbing 11 rebounds.Bramer and Edwards were named to the 2026 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team.

All five members of the Crusaders' starting lineup scored in double figures, with Meg Cahalan, Kaitlyn Flanagan and Simone Foreman each scoring 16 points to tie for the team lead. As a team, Holy Cross shot 51% from the field and went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line.

Lehigh and Holy Cross traded baskets early, and a Bramer 3-pointer put Lehigh ahead 9-8 midway through the first quarter. The Crusaders closed the period on an 8-2 run to take a 17-11 lead after one quarter.

Holy Cross carried its momentum from the first quarter into the second, building a 28-14 lead with 6:16 remaining in the period. Another 3-pointer from Bramer, followed by a 3-pointer from

Gracyn Lovette, who finished with two from beyond the arc, brought Lehigh back into the game. Two baskets fromLily Fandreand a 3-pointer from Edwards later in the period helped Lehigh trim the deficit to five at halftime, 32-27.Early third-quarter baskets from Bramer and

Whitney Lindhelped Lehigh inch closer at the start of the period.Katie Hurtconverted a layup underneath the basket to give Lehigh a 35-34 lead with 7:05 remaining in the quarter.After Lehigh took the lead, the Crusaders responded with a quick run to retake the advantage, one they would not relinquish. Holy Cross built its lead to nine before Edwards knocked down a 3-pointer late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to six entering the fourth, 54-48.

A 3-pointer from Bramer, followed by a layup from Lind between Holy Cross baskets, cut the deficit to three with 8:20 to play. Lehigh would get no closer in the fourth quarter, and Holy Cross eventually pulled away from the Mountain Hawks to win the Patriot League Championship, 77-70.

2026 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Women's Basketball All-Tournament TeamKaitlyn Flanagan, Holy Cross, Sr., G

Meg Cahalan, Holy Cross, Sr., F

Belle Bramer, Lehigh, So., FLeia Edwards, Lehigh, Fy., FZanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, Jr., G

Team Stats

Lehigh

HolyCr

FG%

.473

.517

3FG%

.375

.294

FT%

.750

.833

RB

25

36

TO

11

12

STL

6

3

Game Leaders

Players Mentioned

MHT EP10 - Women's Basketball

Friday, February 27

Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Basketball

Tuesday, February 17

Interview after win vs Colgate 1/10

Saturday, January 10

Interview after Bucknell win 1/3/25

Saturday, January 03