BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The No. 15 Lehigh women's basketball team is set for an exciting NCAA Tournament first round, facing off against the No. 2 Duke on March 21, 2025, at 8 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This highly anticipated matchup is not just a chance for Lehigh to showcase their talent, it also marks their fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing their growing prowess in women’s collegiate basketball.
Lehigh secured their spot in this year’s tournament after winning the Patriot League Championship on March 16. They achieved a hard-fought 74-62 victory over Army, overcoming a halftime deficit of 32-30. The Mountain Hawks outscored their opponents by 44-30 in the second half, demonstrating resilience and skill. Their impressive second-half effort was capped off by a season-high shooting percentage of 60%, hitting 27 of 45 attempts. This is a team that knows how to rally under pressure.
Patriot League Tournament MVP Maddie Albrecht played a pivotal role in the championship game, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Other key contributors included senior guard Colleen McQuillen and junior forward Lily Fandre, both tallying 13 points, senior guard Ella Stemmer with 12 points, and senior wing Remi Sisselman, who added 11 points in a gutsy second-half performance, hitting all four of his field goal attempts.
For Albrecht, this tournament means a personal milestone as she prepares to play in her program-record 136th game on Friday, surpassing the previous mark set by Kristen Dalton. She has been instrumental throughout the season, leading the team with an average of 15.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Stemmer and Fandre have contributed significantly alongside her, with averages of 11.3 and 10.1 points respectively. This competition will be an opportunity for them to continue their impressive run.
Duke enters this matchup after being crowned the 2025 ACC Champion with a decisive 76-62 victory over NC State on March 9. In a thrilling game, Oluchi Okananwa and Ashton Jackson both recorded 22 points, helping the Blue Devils erase a 14-point deficit to secure the win. Duke boasts a strong offensive lineup, featuring Toby Fournier, who leads the team with an average of 13.4 points per game, along with Jackson and Okananwa contributing 12.4 and 10.2 points per game respectively.
This game also holds historical significance. Should Lehigh achieve a victory against Duke, it will mark not only their first NCAA Tournament win but would also set a new precedent as the first time a No. 15 seed has defeated a No. 2 seed in NCAA history. Additionally, it could signify Lehigh's second win over a power conference opponent this season, following their victory over Northwestern, where they triumphed 85-68 on November 10, 2024.
While the two teams have never previously met in women's NCAA basketball, the memory of the Lehigh men's basketball team’s historic upset over Duke in the 2012 tournament lingers, reminding fans of the potential for surprises in sports. If Lehigh wins, they will continue on to face either No. 7 Vanderbilt or No. 10 Oregon in the second round, scheduled for March 23, 2025.
Russell kindly reminds fans that for Duke’s freshman star Cooper Flagg, he will be fully available for the opening match against Mount St. Mary’s as he recovers from a sprained ankle sustained during the ACC Tournament. Flagg said on Thursday, “I feel very good,” mentioning his excitement to return to the court following a brief absence. The star forward was previously sidelined during Duke’s ACC run after injuring his ankle against Georgia Tech, yet he has expressed readiness to contribute significantly to Duke's tournament hopes.
This year’s tournament also sees former Duke player Jared McCain now with the Philadelphia 76ers, announce on social media that he is rooting for his former team to take home the NCAA Championship. McCain, who previously averaged 14 points while at Duke, has made a name for himself in the NBA and continues to support his team from a distance. In a heartfelt Instagram story, he stated, “Riding with my brothers for life,” emphasizing his enduring connection to his collegiate roots.
As fans prepare for a thrilling NCAA Tournament, all eyes will be on the performances of both Lehigh and Duke, with the determination of the Mountain Hawks to make history and the Blue Devils aiming to assert their dominance on the court. The stakes are high, and every moment will count as teams compete fiercely in this beloved annual event.
