Monday, February 17
Lewisburg, Pa.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
10-16,5-10Patriot
50
at
67
Bucknell University
14-14,10-5Patriot
1
2
F
Lehigh
25
25
50
Bucknell
29
38
67
Photo by: Clark Boinis
Second Half Propels Bucknell Past Mountain Hawks 67-50
2/17/2025 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Lehigh men's basketball traveled west on Monday evening for an in-state showdown against the Bucknell Bison on CBS Sports Network. The Mountain Hawks had a strong start in the first half, but ultimately the third-place Bison came away with a 67-50 home victory.
"Unfortunately we struggled to score," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "I thought the shot quality and player involvement was better [in the second half]. As a unit, we allowed far too many points in stretches when we needed to get stops in order to close the gap."
Lehigh (10-16, 5-10 PL) and Bucknell (14-14, 10-5 PL) have split the season series following Monday's loss after the Mountain Hawks earned a 66-64 overtime win over the Bison to kick-off Patriot League play. The win puts Bucknell in a tie for second place in the league while Lehigh remains in eighth.
The Bison struggled from the field out of the gates, shooting 0-8 through the first eight minutes of the game. Bucknell's slow start allowed the Mountain Hawks to jump ahead to a 14-3 lead before the Bison had even connected on a field goal. Lehigh led 19-6 with 9:08 remaining in the half until an 8-0 Bucknell run brought the home team within five. The Bison continued their run in the final minutes of the half, eventually tying the game at 21-21 off of a Ruot Bijiek three. The Mountain Hawks took a 25-24 lead off an Edouard Benoit free throw, but a 5-0 Bucknell run in the final minute put Bison ahead 29-25 at the half.
After Lehigh started the game hot, Bucknell returned the favor in the second half. The Bison outscored the Mountain Hawks 14-2 through the first six minutes of the half to extend their lead to 16. The Mountain Hawks mustered some offense through the next three minutes, eventually bringing the Bison lead to within 11. However, an excellent defensive effort down the stretch from Bucknell kept them in front the rest of the way.
Lehigh shot 34.5% (19-55) from the field and 23.8% (5-21) from three while Bucknell posted percentages of 46.3% (25-54) and 23.8% (5-21) from three. The Bison found an advantage from the free throw line, shooting 75.0% (12-16) to Lehigh's 53.8% (7-13). Bucknell also outrebounded Lehigh 32-22 on the night.
Senior Tyler Whitney-Sidney led the team offensively with 19 points on 8-16 shooting with two steals and a rebound. Whitney-Sidney has now reached double-figures 20 times on the season.
Nasir Whitlock tallied 11 points off the bench while Joshua Ingram, Alfredo Addesa, Hank Alvey and Benoit also scored for Lehigh. Ingram had a solid night defensively, grabbing six rebounds with a career-high five blocks and a steal.
Bucknell's seven-footer Noah Williamson scored a game-high 25 points with nine rebounds. Josh Bascoe joined him in double-figures with 14 points.
The Mountain Hawks will make the quick trip east on Saturday, February 22 to take on rival Lafayette in Easton. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the Kirby Sports Center.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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"Unfortunately we struggled to score," said head coach Dr. Brett Reed. "I thought the shot quality and player involvement was better [in the second half]. As a unit, we allowed far too many points in stretches when we needed to get stops in order to close the gap."
Lehigh (10-16, 5-10 PL) and Bucknell (14-14, 10-5 PL) have split the season series following Monday's loss after the Mountain Hawks earned a 66-64 overtime win over the Bison to kick-off Patriot League play. The win puts Bucknell in a tie for second place in the league while Lehigh remains in eighth.
The Bison struggled from the field out of the gates, shooting 0-8 through the first eight minutes of the game. Bucknell's slow start allowed the Mountain Hawks to jump ahead to a 14-3 lead before the Bison had even connected on a field goal. Lehigh led 19-6 with 9:08 remaining in the half until an 8-0 Bucknell run brought the home team within five. The Bison continued their run in the final minutes of the half, eventually tying the game at 21-21 off of a Ruot Bijiek three. The Mountain Hawks took a 25-24 lead off an Edouard Benoit free throw, but a 5-0 Bucknell run in the final minute put Bison ahead 29-25 at the half.
After Lehigh started the game hot, Bucknell returned the favor in the second half. The Bison outscored the Mountain Hawks 14-2 through the first six minutes of the half to extend their lead to 16. The Mountain Hawks mustered some offense through the next three minutes, eventually bringing the Bison lead to within 11. However, an excellent defensive effort down the stretch from Bucknell kept them in front the rest of the way.
Lehigh shot 34.5% (19-55) from the field and 23.8% (5-21) from three while Bucknell posted percentages of 46.3% (25-54) and 23.8% (5-21) from three. The Bison found an advantage from the free throw line, shooting 75.0% (12-16) to Lehigh's 53.8% (7-13). Bucknell also outrebounded Lehigh 32-22 on the night.
Senior Tyler Whitney-Sidney led the team offensively with 19 points on 8-16 shooting with two steals and a rebound. Whitney-Sidney has now reached double-figures 20 times on the season.
Nasir Whitlock tallied 11 points off the bench while Joshua Ingram, Alfredo Addesa, Hank Alvey and Benoit also scored for Lehigh. Ingram had a solid night defensively, grabbing six rebounds with a career-high five blocks and a steal.
Bucknell's seven-footer Noah Williamson scored a game-high 25 points with nine rebounds. Josh Bascoe joined him in double-figures with 14 points.
The Mountain Hawks will make the quick trip east on Saturday, February 22 to take on rival Lafayette in Easton. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the Kirby Sports Center.
Like Lehigh men's basketball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Team Stats
Lehigh
Buck
FG%
.345
.463
3FG%
.238
.238
FT%
.538
.750
RB
27
40
TO
7
10
STL
6
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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