Up until 2006 , Lafayette was the only team outside of the Ivy League that did not award athletic scholarships in men 's basketball . Other Patriot League teams did not award scholarships , but the policy was gradually dropped by fellow Patriot League schools , leaving Lafayette the lone hold out . With a full scholarship team , the Leopards returned the Patriot League Championship in 2010 for the first time since 2000 and fell to Lehigh . Lafayette lost the 2011 championship game to Bucknell , but the Leopards ' double overtime buzzer-beater by Jim Mower against American University in the semifinals was highlighted as a top ten play on ESPN . The Leopards finally won the 2015 Patriot League Men 's Basketball Tournament , and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000
2015 Patriot League Men 's Basketball Tournament
2015 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament
Lafayette Leopards