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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 was nothing but a 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 pass with 2.1 seconds left, dribbled two steps and fired his shot toward the basket.
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Whitlock was mobbed by his teammates when the shot went in for a 69-66 victory over Holy Cross.
Lehigh led by as many as nine early in the game, building a 16-7 lead in the first 6:29 of the game and leading 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, which they would eventually increase 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 on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 at Resorts World in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Marc Sánchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But the Mountain Hawks fought back as Whitlock made a pair of free throws and then made a layup to fall behind 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 back on top.
Whitlock, however, tied the game again with 11 seconds left, and after a bad Holy Cross pass changed possession, Whitlock became the hero.
Whitlock was 11 of 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 hit four of his six 3-pointers, including each of his last two in the clutch.
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 of 22) in scoring and finished 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 will move on to play third-seeded Colgate on Friday. They haven’t made the tournament since 2012, when, as a 15th seed led by CJ McCollum, they defeated No. 2 Duke.
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