Lehigh 65, Bucknell 62
In a showdown between the only two undefeated teams in the Patriot League, Lehigh blew a 15-point lead but eventually beat Bucknell 65-62 Wednsday at Sojka Pavilion in Lewiston, Pa.
The victory gives Lehigh sole possession of first place in the Patriot League at 14-4 overall, 4-0 in the league. Bucknell fell to 16-4, 3-1.
Lehigh earned it fifth consecutive victory. It's the first time since 2005-06 that the Mountain Hawks started the Patriot League season 4-0.
Lehigh's B.J. Bailey led all scorers with 18 points. Mackey McKnight added 17 points, including two free throws with 19 seconds left, and eight rebounds.
Mike Muscala led the Bison with 16 points and six blocked shots, while Joe Willman had 15.
The score was tied at 56-56 with 5:35 left in the game, but Lehigh outscored Bucknell 9-6 down the stretch.
With 19:42 remaining in the game, Bucknell's Muscala gave the Bison their first lead of the game, 30-29, completing an18-3 run that chopped down what had been a big first-half deficit.
Lehigh took a 29-28 lead into halftime. The Mountain Hawks did it on 6-for-13 shooting from 3-point range. Bucknell started slowly, not scoring until a Ryan Hill layup with 16:25 in the half. A 3-point shot by Lehigh's Corey Schaefer with 6:03 in the half gave the Mountain Hawks a 27-12 lead.
But Bucknell chipped away. The Bison mounted a surge in the last six minutes of the half, climbing back into the game. The Bison went on a 14-0 run to close within 27-26 before Lehigh's Holden Greiner stopped the streak with a jumper with 28 seconds left in the half.
