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Both the calendar and the basketball court say it’s March.
Lehigh University advanced to the semifinals of the Patriot League tournament Thursday night after a half-court prayer went all but net at the buzzer.
Nasir Whitlock of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks shoots a three-point field goal attempt during an NCAA men’s basketball game at Oceanfirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, New Jersey on December 21, 2025. (Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nasir Whitlock caught the inbound pass with 2.1 seconds left, dribbled up two steps and heaved his shot toward the basket.
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Whitlock was booed by his teammates as the shot went in for a 69-66 win over Holy Cross.
Lehigh led by as many as nine early in the game, jumped out to a 16-7 lead within the game’s first 6:29 and led by five at halftime. After Lehigh got the first bucket of the second half, Holy Cross went on a 15-6 run to take a four-point lead that they would eventually grow to six with 2:43 left.
Lehigh Mountain Hawks guard Nasir Whitlock (1) in action during a basketball game against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at the Resorts World Las Vegas Classic basketball tournament, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Resorts World in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But the Mountain Hawks battled back thanks to Whitlock, who knocked down a pair of free throws and then made a layup to trail by two. Hank Alvey’s layup tied the game with 1:12 left, but Holy Cross’ Gabe Warren made a jumper with 21 seconds left to put the Crusaders up again.
However, Whitlock tied the game again with 11 seconds left and after a poor Holy Cross pass changed possession, Whitlock was the hero.
Whitlock went 11-for-24, including each of his last four, to finish with 29 points. Nine of those points came in the final 2:30 of the game, and he knocked down four of his six three-pointers, including each of his last two in crunch time.
Nasir Whitlock of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks drives the ball during an NCAA men’s basketball game at Oceanfirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, New Jersey on December 21, 2025. (Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Tyler Boston led the Crusaders (11-for-22) in scoring, finishing with 24 points. Holy Cross also got 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks from Warren. Aiden Disu finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
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The Mountain Hawks advance to play No. 3-seeded Colgate on Friday. They haven’t reached the tournament since 2012, when as a 15 seed led by CJ McCollum they upset No. 2 Duke.
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