You can feel it in the air the moment you walk into Sojka Pavilion or Stabler Arena. It’s a specific kind of tension. It isn't the flashy, media-circus vibe of a Duke-UNC game, but for anyone in the Lehigh Valley or Central Pennsylvania, Lehigh vs Bucknell basketball is the real deal. It’s gritty. It’s personal. Basically, it's everything that makes Patriot League hoops great.
Honestly, if you look at the records this year, you might be tempted to look away. Both teams have had their struggles in the 2025-2026 season. But threw that out the window on January 3, 2026. Records don't mean a thing when these two step on the hardwood. Bucknell walked away with a 72-65 win in that one, but the score barely tells the story of how Lehigh nearly choked the life out of the Bison in the first half.
The January 3rd Battle: A Tale of Two Halves
Lehigh came out swinging. They were efficient, sharp, and frankly, they looked like the much better team for about twenty minutes. Hank Alvey was an absolute problem. He finished with 26 points and nine rebounds, practically doing whatever he wanted in the paint early on. Lehigh built a 13-point lead, and by halftime, they were up 36-28. It felt like a blowout was brewing.
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Then, the second half happened.
Bucknell is a different beast at home. They went on a 12-0 run that flipped the script entirely. Ruot Bijiek—remember that name—put the team on his back. He dropped a career-high 20 points and grabbed 10 boards. When Jayden Williams hit that triple with about six minutes left to put the Bison up 60-56, you could hear the energy shift. Lehigh fought back, but they went cold. Dead cold. They didn't hit a single field goal in the final five minutes. You can't win rivalry games like that.
Key Performers That Stole the Show
- Ruot Bijiek (Bucknell): 20 points, 10 rebounds. His first career double-double couldn't have come at a better time.
- Hank Alvey (Lehigh): 26 points. He was the only reason Lehigh stayed in it late, but he needed more help from the perimeter.
- Pat Curtin (Bucknell): 14 points and 5 steals. His defensive pressure changed the tempo in the second half.
- Nasir Whitlock (Lehigh): 11 points. He’s been the leading scorer in the league, but Bucknell frustrated him into six turnovers.
Why Lehigh vs Bucknell Basketball is the "Backdoor Brawl"
They call it the Backdoor Brawl for a reason. These schools are separated by a two-hour drive, but they’ve been clashing since 1902. Bucknell currently leads the all-time series 113-75-1. Yeah, there’s a tie in there from way back when.
What most people get wrong is thinking this is just about geography. It's about identity. These are two of the premier academic institutions in the country. The players on the court are often the same guys who were recruited by both schools. There’s a "we’re better than you" chip on everyone's shoulder that transcends the box score.
The C.J. McCollum Shadow
You can't talk about Lehigh vs Bucknell basketball without mentioning 2012. It’s the peak of the rivalry. C.J. McCollum, before he was an NBA star, led Lehigh into Sojka Pavilion and snatched a Patriot League Championship right out of the Bison's hands with an 82-77 win. Bucknell fans still haven't forgotten that. Every time Lehigh visits Lewisburg, that ghost is in the building.
Breaking Down the X's and O's
If you’re looking for a pattern in how these games go, look at the turnover margin. In their most recent meeting, Lehigh turned it over 21 times. You simply cannot give a team like Bucknell 21 extra possessions and expect to leave with a "W." Bucknell turned those mistakes into 20 points.
Lehigh actually shot better from the floor (46.8% vs Bucknell’s 36.9%), but they couldn't buy a bucket from deep. They went 4-for-16 from the three-point line. In the modern game, if you aren't hitting the long ball, you’re playing with fire. Bucknell, meanwhile, was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 17-for-18. It’s the "boring" stuff—free throws and taking care of the ball—that actually decides these high-stakes matchups.
Current Standing in the Patriot League
As of mid-January 2026, the conference is a mess—in a good way.
- Bucknell is sitting at 1-1 in the league (4-11 overall).
- Lehigh is struggling at 0-2 in the league (4-11 overall).
- Colgate and American are still the teams to beat, but the middle of the pack is wide open.
What to Watch For Next
The rematch is always better. When Bucknell heads to Bethlehem later this season, expect Lehigh to adjust their defensive scheme on Ruot Bijiek. They let him get too comfortable in the paint in the second half. Also, keep an eye on Nasir Whitlock. He’s a high-volume scorer who had a rough night in Lewisburg. Players like him usually have a "revenge game" circled on the calendar.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the Home Court: Sojka Pavilion is a tough place to play, but Lehigh’s Stabler Arena is just as loud. Home-court advantage usually accounts for a 3-5 point swing in this series.
- The Alvey Factor: If Lehigh can get Hank Alvey 15+ shots, they are dangerous. He’s efficient but needs the volume.
- Pressure the Guards: Bucknell won the last game by forcing turnovers. If Lehigh cleans up their ball-handling, the scoreline flips.
To really get a feel for this, you've gotta see it live. The Patriot League tournament is where these two usually end up in a do-or-die scenario. Whether they are at the top of the standings or fighting to stay out of the basement, Lehigh and Bucknell will always play like a championship is on the line.
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Next Steps:
Check the official Patriot League schedule for the upcoming rematch at Stabler Arena. If you're heading to the game, arrive early—the student sections for both sides make this one of the most underrated atmospheres in college basketball. Keep a close eye on the injury report for Nasir Whitlock, as his health dictates Lehigh's entire offensive flow.