Friday, November 21
Bethlehem, Pa.
6:00 PM
Lehigh University
2-4,0-0Patriot
67
vs
82
Columbia University
4-1,0-0Ivy League
1
2
F
Columbia
41
41
82
Lehigh
29
38
67
Photo by: Olivia Link
Lehigh Drops Friday Evening Tilt Vs. Columbia 82-67
11/21/2025 9:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men's basketball played its second consecutive game at Stabler Arena on Friday evening, playing host to the Columbia University Lions. A combined 48 points from Columbia's Kenny Noland and Kine Eddine Bedri helped push the Lions past the Mountain Hawks 82-67.
"Columbia used their size to their advantage tonight," said Murray H. Goodman '48 head coach Brett Reed. "We failed to convert from the free throw line and hit open shots in the first half. We then strategically had to speed them up so much to mask their size advantage, and it worked well. We just got a little fatigued in the middle segments of the second half especially since we were playing more aggressive and faster than we're accustomed to."
Friday night's meeting between Lehigh (2-4) and Columbia (4-1) was the 39th all-time meeting between the two schools, with the Lions holding a 27-12 advantage in the series. Columbia has now won two of the last three meetings, including a narrow 76-75 win a season ago.
The Mountain Hawks and Lions kept pace with one another through the first ten minutes of action, with Columbia holding a 17-13 advantage at the halfway point. The two teams continued to trade runs until a Caleb Thomas jumper brought Columbia's lead within one at 23-21 with 7:16 to play. The Lions then concluded the frame on a strong note, shooting 72.7% from the field to close out the half on an 18-8 run. Columbia entered the locker room leading 41-29 at halftime.
First-year Andrew Urosevic provided a spark for the Mountain Hawks off the bench, scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half. Buckets from Urosevic, Nasir Whitlock and Hank Alvey helped Lehigh cut their deficit to six with 10:31 to play. However, an 8-0 Columbia run put the Lions back in the driver's seat. Columbia's size and advantage on the glass helped them maintain their lead deep into the second half, and Lehigh ultimately was unable to catch up down the stretch.
Lehigh shot 42.1% (24-57) from the field and 32.0% (8-25) from three while only hitting 52.4% (11-21) of its free throw attempts. Columbia posted shooting splits of 51.7% (31-60) from the floor, 38.1% (8-21) from three and 63.2% (12-19) from the line. The Lions found a 48-23 advantage on the glass and outscored Lehigh 44-22 in the paint, proving to be crucial to Columbia's success.
Urosevic led the way offensively for Lehigh after missing the last two games, scoring 19 points on 5-9 shooting from three in 22 minutes of action. Whitlock added 16 points, Thomas posted a career-high 13 points and Alvey joined them in double-figures with 12 points.
"Andrew is a very good shooter and a great weapon for us," said Reed. "I'm pleased that he was able to rehab as quickly as he could to get back."
Noland provided 27 points on a 5-10 mark from three-point range for the Lions while Eddine Bedri posted a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Blair Thompson also recorded a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds.
Lehigh hits the road to take on Marist at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25 before heading out west for the Resorts World Las Vegas Classic over Thanksgiving weekend.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"Columbia used their size to their advantage tonight," said Murray H. Goodman '48 head coach Brett Reed. "We failed to convert from the free throw line and hit open shots in the first half. We then strategically had to speed them up so much to mask their size advantage, and it worked well. We just got a little fatigued in the middle segments of the second half especially since we were playing more aggressive and faster than we're accustomed to."
Friday night's meeting between Lehigh (2-4) and Columbia (4-1) was the 39th all-time meeting between the two schools, with the Lions holding a 27-12 advantage in the series. Columbia has now won two of the last three meetings, including a narrow 76-75 win a season ago.
The Mountain Hawks and Lions kept pace with one another through the first ten minutes of action, with Columbia holding a 17-13 advantage at the halfway point. The two teams continued to trade runs until a Caleb Thomas jumper brought Columbia's lead within one at 23-21 with 7:16 to play. The Lions then concluded the frame on a strong note, shooting 72.7% from the field to close out the half on an 18-8 run. Columbia entered the locker room leading 41-29 at halftime.
First-year Andrew Urosevic provided a spark for the Mountain Hawks off the bench, scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half. Buckets from Urosevic, Nasir Whitlock and Hank Alvey helped Lehigh cut their deficit to six with 10:31 to play. However, an 8-0 Columbia run put the Lions back in the driver's seat. Columbia's size and advantage on the glass helped them maintain their lead deep into the second half, and Lehigh ultimately was unable to catch up down the stretch.
Lehigh shot 42.1% (24-57) from the field and 32.0% (8-25) from three while only hitting 52.4% (11-21) of its free throw attempts. Columbia posted shooting splits of 51.7% (31-60) from the floor, 38.1% (8-21) from three and 63.2% (12-19) from the line. The Lions found a 48-23 advantage on the glass and outscored Lehigh 44-22 in the paint, proving to be crucial to Columbia's success.
Urosevic led the way offensively for Lehigh after missing the last two games, scoring 19 points on 5-9 shooting from three in 22 minutes of action. Whitlock added 16 points, Thomas posted a career-high 13 points and Alvey joined them in double-figures with 12 points.
"Andrew is a very good shooter and a great weapon for us," said Reed. "I'm pleased that he was able to rehab as quickly as he could to get back."
Noland provided 27 points on a 5-10 mark from three-point range for the Lions while Eddine Bedri posted a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Blair Thompson also recorded a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds.
Lehigh hits the road to take on Marist at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25 before heading out west for the Resorts World Las Vegas Classic over Thanksgiving weekend.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
CU
Lehigh
FG%
.517
.421
3FG%
.381
.320
FT%
.632
.524
RB
48
23
TO
15
9
STL
5
6
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F/C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballLehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, November 12
2025-20226 Lehigh Men's Basketball Season Preview
Thursday, October 30
Season Preview: Men's Basketball
Thursday, October 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, October 30
