NCAAB · Final

Bucknell Bison Defeat Lehigh Mountain Hawks 72-65

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · Sojka Pavilion

Bucknell Bison 72, Lehigh Mountain Hawks 65, 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 Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs Bucknell Bison?

Bucknell Bison beat Lehigh Mountain Hawks 72-65 at Sojka Pavilion on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs Bucknell Bison?

Bucknell Bison were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -205 (about 67% implied). The favorite won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Bucknell Bison emerged victorious against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks with a final score of 72-65. This game, held at Sojka Pavilion, showcased two teams struggling with identical records of 4-11, making the outcome significant for both sides as they seek to turn their seasons around.

Both teams entered the game with challenging recent form. The Bison had lost their last two games and were 1-9 in their last ten, averaging 59.9 points scored while allowing 79.3 points per game during that stretch. Their recent results included a loss to the Holy Cross Crusaders (58-65) and a heavy defeat against the Iowa Hawkeyes (39-94). At home, Bucknell had a record of 0-3 in their last three games, indicating difficulties in defending their home court.

On the other hand, the Mountain Hawks had a slightly better record in their last ten games, going 3-7, but they too were on a two-game losing streak. Lehigh averaged 72.5 points scored and allowed 77.0 points in their recent outings. Their last game resulted in a loss to the Army Black Knights (78-85), and they had also lost to the Monmouth Hawks (62-76). Lehigh's away record stood at 1-3, reflecting their struggles in hostile environments.

The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, splitting their two encounters. Bucknell won the most recent meeting on February 18, 2025, with a score of 67-50, while Lehigh had narrowly edged out Bucknell earlier in the season on January 3, 2025, winning 66-64. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, as both teams were keen to assert dominance.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams were likely managing player conditions given their recent performances. The absence of key players can significantly impact team dynamics, especially in closely matched games like this one.

The betting lines from DraftKings indicated Bucknell as the favorite, with a spread of -4.5 and a moneyline of -205, while Lehigh was listed at +170. The total for the game was set at 137.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.

Conditions at Sojka Pavilion were typical for a winter evening, with the atmosphere charged as fans supported their teams. The Bison's home advantage was crucial, especially given their recent struggles on the road.

As the game progressed, Bucknell managed to maintain a slight edge, with key scoring plays in the second half helping them secure the victory. Notable moments included Ruot Bijiek's layup that brought the score to 66-63 and Amon Dörries' jumper that extended the lead to 68-63. Free throws by Jayden Williams and Bijiek in the closing moments solidified Bucknell's win, as they converted crucial opportunities from the charity stripe.

Overall, this matchup was significant not only for the standings but also for the morale of both teams. Bucknell's victory may serve as a turning point as they look to build on this success, while Lehigh will need to regroup and address their recent struggles as they continue their season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	BUCK -4.5	137.5 o -112 / u -108	Lehigh Mountain Hawks +170 · Bucknell Bison -205

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

Leaders

PointsRuot Bijiek20Bucknell Bison
AssistsJayden Williams5Bucknell Bison
ReboundsRuot Bijiek10Bucknell Bison
PointsHank Alvey26Lehigh Mountain Hawks
AssistsNasir Whitlock4Lehigh Mountain Hawks
ReboundsHank Alvey9Lehigh Mountain Hawks

Recent form

Bucknell Bison

Last 10: 1-9Streak L259.9 scored · 79.3 allowed per game0-3 at home

L58-65at Holy Cross CrusadersDec 31
L39-94at Iowa HawkeyesDec 20
W51-38at Rider BroncsDec 10
L66-73vs UMBC RetrieversDec 6
L77-97at Akron ZipsDec 4
L72-101vs Cornell Big RedNov 30
L71-73vs Buffalo BullsNov 26
L66-71at Bowling Green FalconsNov 24
L49-97at St. John's Red StormNov 21
L50-84at Pittsburgh PanthersNov 18

Lehigh Mountain Hawks

Last 10: 3-7Streak L272.5 scored · 77 allowed per game1-3 away

L78-85vs Army Black KnightsDec 31
L62-76at Monmouth HawksDec 21
W83-74vs Penn State Hazleton Nittany LionsDec 19
L82-87vs Long Island University SharksDec 6
L71-80at Binghamton BearcatsDec 3
W78-74at Texas State BobcatsNov 29
L70-72vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosNov 28
L55-78at Marist Red FoxesNov 26
L67-82vs Columbia LionsNov 21
W79-62vs Saint Francis Red WolvesNov 19

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	Lehigh Mountain Hawks	Bucknell Bison
Field goals	22-47	24-65
Field goal %	47	37
Three-pointers	4-16	7-22
Three-point %	25	32
Free throws	17-21	17-18
Free throw %	81	94
Rebounds	33	35
Offensive rebounds	4	13
Defensive rebounds	29	22
Assists	11	15
Steals	7	14
Blocks	6	3
Turnovers	21	12
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	14	20
Fast-break points	7	12
Points in the paint	30	30
Fouls	14	20
Largest lead	13	7
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	62	33

How the scoring went

2nd Half39-33Ruot Bijiek makes layup
2nd Half41-33Hank Alvey makes layup
2nd Half41-36Amon Dörries makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jayden Williams assists)
2nd Half42-36Edouard Benoit makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half43-36Edouard Benoit makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half43-38Pat Curtin makes layup
2nd Half43-39Pat Curtin makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half45-39Nasir Whitlock makes layup
2nd Half45-41Jayden Williams makes layup (Pat Curtin assists)
2nd Half45-43Grgur Brcic makes 2-foot dunk (Jayden Williams assists)
2nd Half45-45Ruot Bijiek makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half45-48Jayden Williams makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half45-51Aleksander Pachucki makes 22-foot three point jumper (Grgur Brcic assists)
2nd Half47-51Hank Alvey makes layup (Caleb Thomas assists)
2nd Half49-51Hank Alvey makes 6-foot jumper
2nd Half50-51Hank Alvey makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half52-51Edouard Benoit makes layup
2nd Half55-51Joshua Ingram makes 25-foot three point jumper (Caleb Thomas assists)
2nd Half55-54Pat Curtin makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jayden Williams assists)
2nd Half55-56Achile Spadone makes 5-foot jumper
2nd Half55-57Achile Spadone makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half56-57Caleb Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-60Jayden Williams makes 22-foot three point jumper (Pat Curtin assists)
2nd Half59-60Hank Alvey makes 25-foot three point jumper (Joshua Ingram assists)
2nd Half59-61Pat Curtin makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-62Pat Curtin makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-62Hank Alvey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-62Hank Alvey makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-63Ruot Bijiek makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-64Ruot Bijiek makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-64Nasir Whitlock makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-64Nasir Whitlock makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-66Ruot Bijiek makes layup
2nd Half63-68Amon Dörries makes 8-foot jumper (Pat Curtin assists)
2nd Half64-68Edouard Benoit makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-68Edouard Benoit makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-69Jayden Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-70Jayden Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-71Ruot Bijiek makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-72Ruot Bijiek makes free throw 2 of 2