BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh University is heading back to the NCAA Tournament.
The Mountain Hawks secured the Patriot League championship Wednesday night with a 74-60 win over Boston University at Stabler Arena, clinching the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It marks Lehigh’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 and the program’s fourth Patriot League title.
Lehigh used a balanced effort on both ends of the floor to take control of the title game in front of a crowd of 4,323 in Bethlehem. Junior guard Nasir Whitlock led the Mountain Hawks with 18 points and was named the Patriot League Championship MVP. Joshua Ingram and Edouard Benoit each added 15 points, while Hank Alvey finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
Boston University entered the game as the No. 4 seed, but Lehigh’s defense helped shut down one of the nation’s better three-point shooting teams. The Terriers were held to just 1-for-16 from beyond the arc as the Mountain Hawks pulled away to secure the championship.
The title run capped a strong finish for Lehigh, which entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and advanced to the championship game after defeating Colgate in the semifinals. Boston University reached the final after upsetting top-seeded Navy.
Now, Lehigh turns its attention to Selection Sunday, when the Mountain Hawks will learn their seed and first-round opponent in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m.
For Lehigh, it’s a championship moment years in the making — and now the Mountain Hawks are officially dancing again.
