WASHINGTON -- Glenn Stokes scored a career-high 18 points and led four players in double figures as American ran past Bucknell, 69-52, in men's basketball on Saturday afternoon in Bender Arena. The win was the fifth in the last six games for the Eagles, who rebounded from its loss to Lafayette on Wednesday.
The teams battled through a sluggish first half, which saw American (9-8, 3-1) take a six-point lead with 5:45 to play in the period. Bucknell (6-11, 2-2) hung around though, and closed the margin to three as the teams went to the half.
Coming off the loss to Lafayette, where they shot just 5 of 24 from three-point range, the Eagles connected on 6 of 8 three's in the second half, including three by Stokes and two by Vladimir Buscaglia, who finished with 14 points.
After the Bison closed the margin to two (30-28) with 17:33 left in the game, American exploded for a 17-0 run over the five minutes to take a commanding 47-31 advantage. Stokes, who scored 12 of his team-high 18 points during the spurt, capped the run with a three-pointer at the 12:21 mark.
The Eagles shot 58.3 percent from the field this afternoon, including 58.8 percent from three-point range.
Patrick Doctor, making his first start since Dec. 20, scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Brian Williams was also in double figures for the third straight game, adding 10 points.
Bucknell's offense went through Boakai Lalugba and Dan Blankenship. Lalugba tallied game-highs of 19 points and nine rebounds. Blankenship added 16 points on seven-of-nine shooting.
American returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 23, when it travels to Bethlehem, Pa., to face Lehigh at 7:30 p.m. Bucknell tips it up with Colgate on Wednesday in Hamilton, N.Y.
GAME NOTES - This was the first meeting in the Patriot League between the old East Coast Conference (ECC) foes ... Bucknell still leads the series, 15-13 ... American improved to 9-11 at home against the Bison ... the teams will meet again on Feb. 13 in Lewisburg, Pa. ... that game will be televised by Patriot League TV.
