As the final seconds ticked off the shot clock, 4,323 people erupted from the stands in Stabler Arena. Students and fans flooded onto the court, celebrating the Mountain Hawks.
A table was brought onto the court, along with three trophies to commemorate. Lehigh men’s basketball donned blue ‘Patriot League Champions’ hats, lifted the Patriot League Tournament trophy into the air and slapped the Lehigh logo onto the March Madness ticket.
As chaos and excitement filled the room, reality began to set in: the Mountain Hawks are going dancing.
Lehigh men’s basketball defeated Boston University 74-60 Wednesday night in the Patriot League Championship at Stabler Arena. The Mountain Hawks last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2012, when they defeated No. 2 Duke 75-70 as a No. 15 seed with the help of C.J. McCollum, ‘13.
Junior guard and captain Nasir Whitlock led Lehigh with 18 points, while three others finished in double digits. Junior guard Joshua Ingram and sophomore forward Edouard Benoit scored 15 points apiece, and sophomore forward and center Hank Alvey added 14.
Boston University sophomore forward Ben Defty tallied 21 points and eight rebounds. Junior guard Michael McNair added 14 points, while first-year guards Donte Tisinger Jr. and Chance Gladden each finished with 11.
The Mountain Hawks started off strong, driving down the perimeter to shoot and build a double-digit lead by halftime. Lehigh shot 57.1% from three-point range in the first half while Boston struggled from beyond the arc, converting just one of nine attempts.
Ingram was the spark early in the game, knocking down three first-half three-pointers that amped up the crowd and helped push Lehigh ahead 41-30 at the half.
“We knew what was on the line tonight,” Ingram said. “To finish it out at home and know we’re going dancing, that’s a special feeling.”
The Mountain Hawks maintained control throughout the second half, stretching their largest lead to 19 points with 3:27 on the clock, 66-47. While Boston found success within the paint, the Terriers were unable to close the gap as Lehigh continued to execute on both ends of the court.
Coach Brett Reed credited the team’s urgency and collective effort in the championship performance.
“I thought our guys played with incredible urgency and effort,” Reed said. “They shared the basketball and were ready for the moment.”
For Whitlock, the victory represents the culmination of years of growth for the program.
The championship marks Lehigh’s second Patriot League title appearance in three seasons and its fourth in the last decade.
“We’ve been building toward this,” Whitlock said. “To finally get over the hump and win, it means everything.”
Brett Reed also reflected on the significance of sharing the championship with his son, Brendan Reed, a senior on the team who grew up around the program.
“Most college coaches don’t have the opportunity to build a career and raise a family in one community,” Brett Reed said. “Ever since he was little, he’s been around this program. (Brendan Reed’s) wearing a Lehigh hat, coming to the gym, being a ball boy.”
He added that Brendan Reed is ingrained into the men’s basketball program for life and happy that he was able to cap off his college experience with the championship.
Lehigh will learn its NCAA Tournament opponent and seed during Selection Sunday on March 15 at 6 p.m.
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