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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 only resulted in a score 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 the Oceanfirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, New Jersey on December 21, 2025. (Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nasir Whitlock caught the inbounds 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 as the shot led to a 69-66 victory over Holy Cross.
Lehigh led by nine early in the game, taking 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 eventually increased 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, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Resorts World in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Marc Sánchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But the Mountain Hawks fought back thanks to Whitlock hitting a pair of free throws, then making a layup to trail 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 up.
Whitlock, however, tied the game again with 11 seconds remaining, and after a poor Holy Cross pass changed possession, Whitlock became the hero.
Whitlock went 11 of 24, including each of his final four, to finish with 29 points. Nine of those points came in the final 2:30 of the game, and he knocked down four of his six three-pointers, including each of his final two points in crunch time.
Nasir Whitlock of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks drives the ball during an NCAA men’s basketball game at the 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, finishing 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 face No. 3 seed Colgate on Friday. They haven’t been to the tournament since 2012, when, as a 15 seed led by CJ McCollum, they upset No. 2 Duke.
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