BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh Mountain Hawks men’s basketball team is set to face their third power conference opponent of the season as they journey to Piscataway, New Jersey, to battle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this Friday. The matchup boasts a long history, with Lehigh and Rutgers having met over a hundred times. The Scarlet Knights currently hold a commanding 69-35 lead in the all-time series and won the last contest, a thrilling overtime game in 2021 that ended 73-70. Lehigh’s last victory against Rutgers came back in 2008 with a 76-71 win in Piscataway.
Should Lehigh manage to secure a win, it would mark their first triumph over a power conference opponent since defeating Mississippi State 87-73 in 2016. This game is particularly significant for head coach who would seek his second career win against Rutgers.
In their most recent outing, the Mountain Hawks faced off against West Virginia, suffering a 69-47 defeat. Notably, led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game with 16 points off the bench, showcasing his shooting prowess with 6-12 from the field and 4-8 from three-point range. Additionally, teammate Ingram contributed with 14 points, while a sophomore player recorded eight rebounds and three assists. The Mountain Hawks shot 34.8% (16-46) overall, 33.3% (7-21) from beyond the arc, and 72.7% (8-11) from the free-throw line.
Rutgers, entering the game with a record of 2-0, has secured victories against Rider (81-53) and Maine (72-60) this season. Junior Tariq Francis has been instrumental for the Scarlet Knights, leading the team with an impressive average of 16.0 points per game. He’s supported by a strong group of scorers including Dylan Grant (13.5 ppg), Denis Badalau (12.0 ppg), Jamichael Davis (11.5 ppg), and Darren Buchanan Jr. (10.5 ppg). Last season, the Scarlet Knights posted a record of 15-17 and 8-12 in the Big Ten. Notably, two of their players were selected among the top five in the 2025 NBA Draft, further underscoring their competitive lineup.
Following the contest against Rutgers, the Mountain Hawks will return to Stabler Arena for their season opener against Saint Francis on Tuesday, November 18, at 7 p.m.
The game against Rutgers is scheduled for November 14, 2025, with tip-off at 6:30 p.m. at Jersey Mike’s Arena, which has a capacity of 8,000. Lehigh currently holds a record of 1-2, while Rutgers stands at 2-0. The matchup will be broadcast on B1G+ and can also be heard on Fox Sports 94.7 FM and 1230 AM.