TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Coming into Saturday's game against Florida State, few would have given American much of a chance against the Seminoles of the mighty Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
When the final buzzer sounded, American had exacted a huge 77-72 win, becoming the first Patriot League school to beat a member of the ACC. In fact, it was just the third win in Eagle basketball history over a member of the ACC - single wins over Maryland and Virginia came before those schools were associated with the ACC.
American (4-6) quickly jumped out to a 9-3 lead after three minutes and held leads as large as seven points in the first half. Florida State (4-5) responded with a 10-2 run midway through the first half to take a one-point lead.
American came back with a 7-0 spurt of their own, and a Vladimir Buscaglia jumper put the Eagles up three, 29-26, with 2:14 to play in the half. A tip-in by Mike Mathews sliced the American advantage to one, and then following a turnover by the Eagles, Delvon Arrington drove the length of the floor for a lay-in at the buzzer. The Seminoles took a one-point (30-29) lead into the break.
The Eagles slowly built another sizable margin in the second half, this time by 11 points. Glenn Stokes capped an 11-2 run with one of his five three-pointers on the day. The junior transfer from Tallahassee CC, making a return appearance to the area, had a huge day, knocking down five three-pointers, en route to a career-high 15 points.
With the American lead at six, Buscaglia tossed in his fourth three of the day to run the lead to nine. FSU made a late surge, but solid free-throw shooting by the Eagles down the stretch held off the Seminoles. American was 10-of-10 from the line in the final minute of play, including four each by Patrick Doctor and Steven Miles.
Doctor led the Eagles with 18 points, while Buscaglia added 16 and Nick Boyd came off the bench to net 10.
Monte Cummings led all scorers with 20 points, while Antwaun Dixon scored 17. Arrington had eight points and a game-high 12 assists.
American returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 29, when it hosts Wagner in Bender Arena at 2:00 p.m.
