Bucknell Hosts Army at Sojka Pavilion; Home Win Streak and Slump Collide

A clash of streaks played out at Sojka Pavilion when Bucknell hosted Army West Point on Wednesday, putting a 14-game regular-season Patriot League home winning streak up against Army's five-game losing run. The matchup mattered for local fans because it affected Bucknell's position in a tightly packed Patriot League race and tested the resilience of the Bison on their home floor.

Bucknell entered the game 3-3 in Patriot League play, tied with Holy Cross and a half-game behind 4-3 Lehigh. The Bison's league performance displayed a stark home-road split: Bucknell was 3-0 at Sojka Pavilion and 0-3 away. That home-court success stretched back to an overtime loss to Lehigh on Feb. 12, 2024, marking 14 consecutive regular-season Patriot League home wins. Maintaining that stretch matters to Lewisburg's community and campus spirit, reinforcing game-day attendance at Sojka and supporting local businesses that rely on weekday crowds.

The Bison arrived off a 95-76 setback at Colgate, where slow starts in both halves left Bucknell trailing early. Colgate's Jalen Cox recorded a triple-double as the Raiders improved to 5-1 in Patriot League play. Even in defeat, Bucknell went 22-for-24 from the foul line at Colgate and moved into the Patriot League lead in free-throw percentage, a statistical edge that could prove decisive in tight conference contests.

Bucknell's recent offensive production has depended heavily on freshmen Pat Curtin and Amon Dörries. Curtin ranked among league leaders in steals and scoring in Patriot League play, while Dörries showed signs of warming up after a dry spell in December. Those freshman contributions are central to Bucknell's short- and long-term trajectory; sustained development by Curtin and Dörries would bolster the program's competitiveness and local recruiting appeal.

Army entered Lewisburg with junior guard Ryan Curry anchoring the backcourt and leading the Patriot League in three-point shooting and attempts. Army's perimeter focus presents a strategic challenge for Bucknell's defense and underscores why home-court execution is critical at Sojka Pavilion.

The game was carried on ESPN+ and Eagle 107, offering multiple ways for Union County residents and Bucknell supporters to follow the action. Beyond standings, the contest highlighted institutional questions for Bucknell's coaching staff: fixing slow starts on the road, protecting the Sojka Pavilion advantage, and converting strong free-throw shooting into consistent wins.

For Lewisburg readers, the matchup signaled more than a single result. It tested the Bison's capacity to defend a significant home streak, showcased the impact of freshman talent, and shaped the midseason landscape of the Patriot League. The outcome will influence upcoming scheduling plans and local engagement as Bucknell prepares for its second 2026 meeting with Army and the remainder of conference play.