NCAAB · Final

Lafayette Edges Bucknell in Thrilling Finish

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Kirby Sports Center

Lafayette Leopards 81, Bucknell Bison 79, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Bucknell Bison vs Lafayette Leopards?

Lafayette Leopards beat Bucknell Bison 81-79 at Kirby Sports Center on January 28, 2026.

Who was favored in Bucknell Bison vs Lafayette Leopards?

Lafayette Leopards were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.

In a nail-biting contest at Kirby Sports Center, the Lafayette Leopards triumphed over the Bucknell Bison with a final score of 81-79. This matchup was particularly compelling as both teams entered the game with identical records of 6-16, making it a crucial battle for momentum in the NCAAB season. The Leopards had been struggling lately, holding a record of 2-8 in their last ten games and coming off two consecutive losses. They averaged 69.6 points scored while allowing 75.6 points during this stretch. In contrast, the Bison had a slightly better record of 4-6 in their last ten games, but they were also on a three-game losing streak, averaging 64.3 points scored and allowing 72.3 points.

The Leopards had a mixed record at home, winning only 1 of their last 3 games but had shown some resilience with a recent victory over Holy Cross. Meanwhile, Bucknell's away performance had been less favorable, managing just 1 win in their last 6 away games. The previous meetings between these two teams had all favored Bucknell, with Lafayette losing their last three encounters, including a 69-76 defeat earlier in January 2026.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the overall performance of both teams suggested that they were fielding their regular lineups. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Lafayette as 4.5-point favorites with a total set at 138.5. The odds indicated a slight lean towards the home team, with Lafayette's moneyline at -198 and Bucknell's at +164.

The game conditions were typical for a winter evening in January, with both teams eager to secure a much-needed win. As the game unfolded, it became clear that both teams were fighting hard for every point. The scoring plays highlighted the tension in the final moments, with Christian Humphrey-Rembert making crucial free throws to push Lafayette ahead, while Bucknell's Aleksander Pachucki and Amon Dörries attempted to keep the game close.

Viewers were treated to a showcase of determination and skill as the Leopards managed to hold on to their lead in the final seconds, ultimately sealing the victory with Caleb Williams' free throw. The final score reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses throughout the game.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	LAF -4.5	138.5 o -115 / u -105	Bucknell Bison +164 · Lafayette Leopards -198

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsCaleb Williams28Lafayette Leopards
AssistsMark Butler7Lafayette Leopards
ReboundsAndrew Phillips7Lafayette Leopards
PointsAmon Dörries16Bucknell Bison
AssistsAchile Spadone5Bucknell Bison
ReboundsAchile Spadone10Bucknell Bison

Recent form

Lafayette Leopards

Last 10: 2-8Streak L269.6 scored · 75.6 allowed per game1-2 at home

L59-64at Lehigh Mountain HawksJan 25
L73-77at Boston University TerriersJan 21
W74-55vs Holy Cross CrusadersJan 17
L69-76at Bucknell BisonJan 15
L50-76at Navy MidshipmenJan 10
L67-83vs Boston University TerriersJan 8
W79-64at Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsJan 3
L77-85vs Colgate RaidersDec 31
L81-95at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsDec 20
L67-81at Charlotte 49ersDec 19

Bucknell Bison

Last 10: 4-6Streak L364.3 scored · 72.3 allowed per game1-5 away

L62-67at Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsJan 24
L84-87vs Army Black KnightsJan 22
L76-95at Colgate RaidersJan 17
W76-69vs Lafayette LeopardsJan 15
W70-67vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsJan 10
L55-76at Navy MidshipmenJan 8
W72-65vs Lehigh Mountain HawksJan 3
L58-65at Holy Cross CrusadersDec 31
L39-94at Iowa HawkeyesDec 20
W51-38at Rider BroncsDec 10

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Navy	26-8	-	17-1
Colgate	18-15	6	11-7
Lehigh	18-17	6	11-7
Boston University	17-17	7	10-8
American University	16-16	8	9-9
Loyola Maryland	12-20	9	8-10
Lafayette	11-21	9	8-10
Bucknell	10-23	11	6-12
Army	11-21	12	5-13
Holy Cross	11-22	12	5-13

Box score

Stat	Bucknell Bison	Lafayette Leopards
Field goals	24-52	25-52
Field goal %	46	48
Three-pointers	7-19	8-24
Three-point %	37	33
Free throws	24-32	23-31
Free throw %	75	74
Rebounds	31	32
Offensive rebounds	10	11
Defensive rebounds	21	21
Assists	16	17
Steals	4	5
Blocks	1	1
Turnovers	10	8
Team turnovers	2	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	13	14
Fast-break points	9	17
Points in the paint	24	34
Fouls	25	25
Largest lead	10	3
Lead changes	4	4
Time in front	84	8

How the scoring went

2nd Half55-46Patrick O'Brien makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half56-46Pat Curtin makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-47Caleb Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-48Caleb Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-49Joshua Wyche makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-49Patrick O'Brien makes 2-foot dunk (Achile Spadone assists)
2nd Half59-49Patrick O'Brien makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half59-52Andrew Phillips makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mark Butler assists)
2nd Half59-55Caleb Williams makes 23-foot three point step back jumpshot (Mark Butler assists)
2nd Half61-55Patrick O'Brien makes layup
2nd Half62-55Patrick O'Brien makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-55Patrick O'Brien makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-57Andrew Phillips makes layup (Ryan Pettit assists)
2nd Half64-57Pat Curtin makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-57Pat Curtin makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-59Mark Butler makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half65-60Caleb Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-61Caleb Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-61Achile Spadone makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jayden Williams assists)
2nd Half68-63Andrew Phillips makes layup (Caleb Williams assists)
2nd Half68-66Caleb Williams makes 28-foot three point jumper (Mark Butler assists)
2nd Half70-66Achile Spadone makes layup (Amon Dörries assists)
2nd Half70-68Mark Butler makes layup (Caleb Williams assists)
2nd Half71-68Jayden Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-71Caleb Williams makes 27-foot three point jumper (Mark Butler assists)
2nd Half71-72Mark Butler makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-73Mark Butler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-73Pat Curtin makes layup
2nd Half74-73Pat Curtin makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half74-74Ryan Pettit makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half74-75Ryan Pettit makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-77Ryan Pettit makes layup
2nd Half76-77Aleksander Pachucki makes 10-foot jumper
2nd Half76-78Christian Humphrey-Rembert makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half76-79Christian Humphrey-Rembert makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half77-79Amon Dörries makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half77-80Ryan Pettit makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half78-80Pat Curtin makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half79-80Pat Curtin makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half79-81Caleb Williams makes free throw 1 of 2