The 2025 Bison Men’s Basketball season wrapped up earlier in March. After being seeded #1 in the Patriot League, the team went on to face eighth-seeded Loyola in the quarter-finals and fifth-seeded Navy in the semi-finals. Despite an unfortunate final loss, this season’s team reestablished the Orange and Blue as a Patriot League threat, as they moved up from 10th to first in the league in just two seasons. 

Coming off a six-game win streak, the Bison hosted Loyola for their first game of the Patriot League Championship. A little over a week prior, these teams faced each other in Baltimore, where the Bison managed to beat them 70-67. Their lockdown defense in the final minute of the game proved crucial to the previous victory.

The Bison took the first lead of the quarter-final game in front of a lively Sojka crowd. After only two minutes, they were up 11 points to a scoreless Loyola team. The Orange and Blue extended their lead to as much as 17 before the Greyhounds were able to fight back. Loyola got hot from around the arc, hitting six of seven three-point attempts to fuel a 22-6 run. 

Josh Bascoe ʼ25, Pip Ajayi ʼ25 and Brandon McCreesh ʼ27 helped lead the Bison’s offense to obtain a 52-44 lead. Loyola didn’t make it easy on the Bison and managed to pause their scoring efforts. The Orange and Blue’s inability to score led them to trail 61-59 with just under six minutes remaining. 

As the clock counted down, the Bison hit two treys to regain the lead. They made a few more attempts to widen the gap but came up unsuccessful. Loyola managed to tie the game at 67 and neither team would score again, resulting in overtime play. 

Achile Spadone ʼ26 was the Bison’s overtime star. His rebounding and scoring helped keep his team afloat when it mattered most. Noah Williamson ʼ26 added a few critical free throws to cap off the 76-72 win, knocking Loyola out of tournament play. 

Williamson scored 21 points and collected 10 rebounds, marking his 10th double-double this year. Bascoe had 20 points, six assists and eight rebounds. 

In the semi-final, the Orange and Blue were up against fifth-seeded Navy, who had defeated Boston University. With the higher seed, the Bison hosted the game.

Navy’s defense took control of the game from the start and led 24-13 about halfway through the first half. The Bison managed to get their offense going after Ajayi collected a rebound and found Bascoe for the three-pointer. 

At the half, the Orange and Blue only trailed by three points. This would not last very long as Navy managed a 14-6 run out of the gates in the second half. With almost 13 minutes to go, the Midshipmen led 55-43. The Bison did all that they could to prevent Navy’s offense from scoring and held them to three field goals. 

Spadone managed to cut the deficit to 59-58 after hitting three treys in a row. Bascoe added two free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt, giving the Bison their first lead with 5:55 left on the clock. Free throw shooting was crucial for both teams in the final minutes of this matchup. The Bison struggled from the line, but Navy was able to convert. Navy managed to take back the lead and hold onto it for the rest of the game. Navy went 35-for-42 while the Bison only went 19-for-29. Navy won 83-77 and moved on to the Patriot League Championship game.  

Williamson led the team with 22 points, four blocks and seven rebounds. Spadone, despite fouling out by the end of the game, contributed 21 points and three steals. Bascoe had 16 and added three steals. 

As the season ends, the Bison recognize their seniors Ajayi, Bascoe, Elvin Edmonds IV and Ian Motta.