Lehigh University punched out of NCAA tournament in loss to Prairie View A&M
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- The Lehigh University men's basketball team lost to Prairie View A&M in the 2026 NCAA Tournament's First Four on Wednesday night.
The game, which ended in a 67-55 score, was played in Dayton, Ohio. More than 500 miles away, Lehigh students attended a watch party on campus.
"I'm honestly a little surprised. A little letdown," Aaron Besnoff, a junior at the university, told Action News.
Freshman Ana Sofia Ramirez said, "I'm just happy we got here. We're not really known to be a basketball school, but we made it, and that's what Lehigh's all about."
Hopes were high early on as several dozen students gathered to watch the game.
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Nicholas Vaitsas, a freshman at Lehigh, said he loved being able to watch with his fellow students.
"It's a really cool experience. The community is amazing," he explained. "I love how we're all getting together for this."
The Mountain Hawks won their fourth Patriot League championship last Wednesday, which cemented their appearance in the First Four. Lehigh returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012.
"When I was thinking about coming here, a lot of people were talking about the team from way back with CJ McCollum and all the notoriety that that brought to this school," Nate Snyder, a Lehigh senior, said. "So I think it's definitely huge just to get on this stage and go on national TV."
Although disappointed, students said they're proud to see their team in the spotlight and grateful for this season of men's basketball on campus.
"We're not the biggest sports school," Ella Smith, a junior, said. "But when we do get an opportunity like this, we become ride or die for the school. So I think it definitely lifts everyone's spirits."
