WASHINGTON - In a game that could have vaulted the American University men's basketball team into a first-place tie in the Patriot League, the Eagles held leads as large as 13 points but let them slip away in a heartbreaking 86-83 overtime loss to Lafayette College Friday in Bender Arena.
Lafayette held a one-point lead at the 3:50 mark in the extra period when the Leopards' Winston Davis went on a tear, hitting three consecutive shots, including two treys, to lift the visitors to an 85-80 lead. The Eagles crept back to within two points on two free throws by Matej Cresnik (Velenje, Slovenia/Univerza V Ljubljani) and one-of-two by Raimondas Petrauskas (Mazeikiai, Lithuania/Lithuanian Physical Culture Academy).
The Eagles then fouled Lafayette's Justin DeBerry, who hit the front end of a one-and-one but missed the second free throw to make the score 86-83 with 35 seconds left. The Eagles had three chances to tie, but one three-point attempt by Andres Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Louisville) and two by Andre Ingram (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) missed their mark.
It appeared as if AU was set to ice the game when Rodriguez went to the line for a one-and-one with AU up 75-73 with eight seconds remaining in regulation. However, Rodriguez missed the front end and Lafayette corralled the rebound and called time-out with 5.9 seconds left. A set play by the Leopards worked to perfection, ending with 6-9 forward Rob Dill slamming it home with 1.5 ticks left to send the game to overtime.
American started the game on fire, grabbing leads of 13 points with 9:13 and 6:50 left in the first period. However, the Leopards whittled away the Eagles' lead to seven at the half, 40-33. After AU's Jason Thomas (Herndon, Va./Notre Dame Academy [Mass.]) hit a three-pointer to open the second-half scoring, Lafayette set to work, trimming the Eagles' lead down to two at 15:16 left in regulation. The Leopards took their first lead since one minute into game when Pat Betley hit a three-pointer to make the score 48-47.
American went on another mini-run to take a seven-point lead with 10:22 left, but Lafayette again clawed its way back to set up the final seconds.
Five players scored in double-figures for American, led by Petrauskas' game-high 16. Jernavis Draughn (Triangle, Va./Potomac School) added 15 points and 11 boards, his fourth double-double of the season and fifth in his career. AU falls to 10-10 on the season, 4-2 in the Patriot League.
Lafayette also had five players in double-figures, including 15 points each by Rob Dill, Justin DeBerry and Winston Davis. The Leopards are now 15-4 overall, and 6-0 in the Patriot League.
