Lehigh Basketball sets the stage for BU’s title push in Bethlehem

Emerson Raymont

Published: March 11, 2026 7:30 PM ET

Lehigh Basketball sets the stage for BU’s title push in Bethlehem

lehigh basketball will be at the center of the Patriot League championship on Wednesday, with Boston University traveling to Bethlehem, Pa., to face second-seeded Lehigh University for the conference title. Boston University arrives after an upset of top-seeded Navy and a late-season run that has put a championship opportunity within reach. The matchup also signals a narrowing focus toward execution details BU has identified after two close losses to Lehigh this season.

Boston University and Lehigh University meet Wednesday in Bethlehem, Pa.

Boston University reached the Patriot League championship after earning the No. 4 seed in the tournament and defeating top seed Navy, 73-72, in the semifinal on Sunday. The finish was defined by Chance Gladden’s game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, described as a running jump shot from about 40 feet. The win advanced the Terriers to a championship date on Wednesday at Lehigh, where they will play the Mountain Hawks on their home floor in Bethlehem, Pa.

The game carries added weight for Boston University’s program because it is the Terriers’ first Patriot League championship game since 2020. BU won that 2020 title game, yet the team did not get to compete in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament because the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the tournament. The current run also comes after a season in which the team has dealt with extensive injuries all year, a challenge players and coaches have framed as a test of resilience and cohesion.

Chance Gladden, Joe Jones, and Michael McNair shape BU’s current trendline

The clearest signal in BU’s current trajectory is how heavily the team has leaned on Gladden and guard Michael McNair during a season marked by injuries. In the semifinal against Navy, BU shot 55 percent from the floor and 46 percent from behind the arc. Gladden led with 26 points, with 24 coming in the second half, while McNair added 22 points, including 17 in the first half. Head coach Joe Jones pointed to their consistency through the season’s disruptions, describing how the team has been able to “ride them” as they delivered repeatedly.

BU’s larger form line is also visible in the numbers. The Terriers enter the championship having won nine of their last 10 games. Yet the lone loss in that span came two and a half weeks ago against Lehigh, a detail that tightens the margin for error and keeps the trend from reading like a straight climb. In other words, BU’s surge is real, but it has already been tested by the exact opponent standing in the way of the title.

Lehigh Basketball matchup exposes BU’s emphasis on defense, turnovers, and rebounding

Boston University has faced Lehigh twice this season and lost both games, with both described as close. BU fell 93-91 in overtime at home on January 14 and then lost 70-67 on the road on February 22. Those results set a clear, context-backed direction for what BU is prioritizing now: the team’s preparation has included watching film to identify what must improve, starting with defense and protecting the ball.

Jones identified turnovers as “probably our biggest hurdle right now, ” linking ball security to the ability to compete on Lehigh’s floor. He also emphasized winning “50/50 balls” and out-hustling the opponent, reflecting a focus on effort plays that can swing close games. Gladden added that rebounding has become a major point of emphasis after BU “haven’t rebounded very well” in the last two games, tying that to offensive rhythm: when BU limits turnovers, he said, the offense flows, shots come more naturally, and the team converts at a high percentage.

Based on context data: BU vs. Lehigh results this season: 93-91 (OT) loss on January 14; 70-67 loss on February 22.
Based on context data: BU’s semifinal shooting vs. Navy: 55% from the floor; 46% from three.
Based on context data: Gladden scored 26 vs. Navy (24 in the second half); McNair scored 22 (17 in the first half).

If this trajectory continues, and BU’s late-game confidence from the Navy finish carries into Wednesday while the team also cuts down on turnovers and rebounds better, the title game could hinge on whether the Terriers can finally flip the tight margins that defined the 93-91 overtime and 70-67 losses. Should the same pressure points persist, especially giveaways and missed rebounds on the road, Lehigh’s ability to capitalize at home would keep BU in the familiar position of playing from just behind.

The next confirmed milestone is Wednesday’s Patriot League championship game at Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. What the context does not resolve is the specific game time, the full health status behind the “extensive injuries, ” or how Lehigh will adjust after already winning twice in the season series. Still, the context makes the direction clear: Boston University’s path runs through cleaner possessions, stronger rebounding, and a defensive edge strong enough to travel.