BETHLEHEM, PA -- Despite trailing by as many as nine points in the second half, American rallied for a hard-fought 65-59 win over Lehigh here on Wednesday evening. It was the Eagles' fifth win in their last six games.
Lehigh (4-14, 1-4 PL) jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, setting the tone for a physical game, one that would not be decided until the game's final seconds. Back-to-back three pointers by Matt Logie and Ra Tiah, and a basket by Scott Taylor, who finished with a game-high 16 points, got the Mountain Hawks off on the right foot.
American rebounded quickly to take a 9-8 lead with 12:46 to play in the first half, but it was the last lead it would see until late in the game. Lehigh responded to the challenge, using a 9-2 spurt to grab a 17-11 lead with 10:37 to play in the half.
That margin would extend to eight going into the halftime break, as Taylor scored 12 of his 16 points in the opening stanza, and Lehigh capitalized on the play of Alex Jensen, who knocked down two three's, and the inside presence of Bobby Mbom, who scored six first-half points.
With Lehigh leading, 37-30, American (10-8, 4-1 PL) scurried back into the game with a small 8-2 run to get within one at 39-38. Lehigh responded yet again, and quickly went back up by seven after three quick baskets. The margin increased to nine after four straight free-throws with 12:30 left to play.
The Eagles finally woke up after a dunk by Patrick Doctor, which jumpstarted a 13-0 run for American, which was capped by a dunk by Keith Gray off a pretty feed from Brian Williams. The run helped American to a 53-49 lead, but it would not last.
Lehigh made one final run at the Eagles, taking a 54-53 lead on two free throws and a three-pointer by Tiah.
A Doctor free throw followed by a three by Glenn Stokes as the shot clock was winding down started American's final push with 1:28 to play. A steal by Brian Williams off the subsequent inbounds helped seal the win as he knocked down two free throws with 16 seconds to play.
Doctor led American with 15 points, while Gray tallied 14 and a game-high 11 rebounds. Stokes netted 12 points, and Andres Rodriguez had six points, six assists and three steals.
The Eagles, who stand atop the Patriot League with a 4-1 mark, return to action on Saturday, Jan. 26, when they travel to preseason favorite Holy Cross for a 3:00 p.m. game with the Crusaders. American then returns home to face local rival Navy on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 7:00 p.m. That game will be televised locally by Comcast SportsNet.
GAME NOTES - American holds a winning record (10-8) after 18 games for the first time 1989-90, when it was 12-6 ... the Eagles, who have now won five-of-six, have done that for the first time since 1990-91 ... that season was also the last with a winning record for the program ... American is at 4-1 in the Patriot League, followed by Army, Lafayette, Navy and Bucknell - all at 3-2 ... the Eagles also lead the league in overall wins (10) ... Army, Colgate and Lafayette each have nine.
