Lehigh tops Boston University 74-60 to win 2026 Patriot League tournament and NCAA berth

Lehigh secures automatic NCAA Tournament spot with championship win at Stabler Arena

Lehigh won the 2026 Patriot League men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, March 11, defeating Boston University 74-60 in the championship game at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The result delivered the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament for the Mountain Hawks, their first trip to the national tournament since 2012.

Junior guard Nasir Whitlock led Lehigh with 18 points. Joshua Ingram and Edouard Benoit added 15 points apiece as Lehigh, the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, pulled away from the No. 4-seeded Terriers.

How the championship game unfolded

Lehigh carried a 41-30 lead into halftime and maintained control in the second half, outscoring Boston University 33-30 after the break. The Mountain Hawks’ balanced scoring proved decisive, with three players reaching at least 15 points and Whitlock supplementing his team-high total with additional contributions across the box score.

Boston University was led by sophomore Ben Defty, who scored 21 points as the Terriers placed four players in double figures. The Terriers’ offensive output, however, was not enough to match Lehigh’s pace over 40 minutes.

Tournament context and what it means

The title game capped a Patriot League tournament played March 3–11 at campus sites, with higher seeds hosting throughout. Lehigh’s path to the championship included a semifinal win over Colgate that set up the matchup with Boston University, which had advanced to the final through its own semifinal victory.

For Lehigh, the championship also extended a postseason run shaped by Whitlock’s prominent role. Earlier in the tournament, he delivered a halfcourt buzzer-beater to lift the Mountain Hawks past Holy Cross in a quarterfinal, a result that kept Lehigh’s title hopes alive heading into the final week of play.

Key facts from the final

• Final score: Lehigh 74, Boston University 60
• Date and venue: Wednesday, March 11, 2026; Stabler Arena (Bethlehem, Pa.)
• Lehigh leaders: Nasir Whitlock (18 points); Joshua Ingram (15); Edouard Benoit (15)
• Boston University leader: Ben Defty (21 points)
• Halftime: Lehigh led 41-30

With the Patriot League tournament championship secured, Lehigh advances to the NCAA Tournament via the conference’s automatic bid.

Lehigh will next await its NCAA Tournament assignment during the selection process, while Boston University’s season continues to be evaluated for potential postseason opportunities outside the NCAA automatic-qualifier pathway.