The Bucknell Bison were the best team in the Patriot League all season. They were rewarded for it on Wednesday night with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Bucknell wins 2017 Patriot League basketball tournament
The Bison are dancing for the first time since 2013.
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Bucknell outlasted Lehigh 81-65 in the Patriot League title game to secure the program’s seventh NCAA Tournament berth, and the first since 2013.
Bucknell led by only one at halftime, but took control in the second half. Four Bison starters reached double-figures in scoring, led by Kimbal Mackenzie, the sophomore guard who went off for 18 points.
Tim Kempton was outstanding in the loss for Lehigh, finishing with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
The Bison have looked formidable all season. They took out Vanderbilt in November and finished 15-3 in the conference. Forgive Kansas fans if they are disheartened by this result. Bucknell’s greatest moment as a program came in 2005, when it beat the Jayhawks in a No. 14 vs. No. 3 upset.
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