Dec. 7, 2007
WASHINGTON - The American University men's basketball team came back from seven points down with 3:41 left and junior forward Brian Gilmore hit a pair of free throws with 2.9 seconds left to give AU a 52-50 win over Jacksonville University Friday in Bender Arena.
In a game televised live by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, the Eagles provided plenty of drama. AU was down, 48-41, when JU leading scorer Ben Smith converted a three-point play with just under four minutes on the clock. However, Garrison Carr, who on an off-night was scoreless up to that point, hit a jumper to make the lead five points and then nabbed a steal on the ensuing Dolphins' possession. Jordan Nichols then converted a pair of free throws, Bryce Simon hit one-of-two from the charity stripe and Gilmore completed the comeback with a layup with 1:33 left to tie the score at 48, setting up the final drama.
Jacksonville made the first play, when Ayron Hardy hit a tough layup with 1:17 left to give the visitors a 50-48 lead. Again, Carr stepped up, hitting a 17-foot jumper to knot the score at 50 a piece. The Dolphins had the ball with just under 50 seconds left with a chance to re-take the lead, but they turned the ball over with 31 seconds left, giving American a chance at the last shot.
The Eagles took advantage of that opportunity, working the ball around until just over 10 seconds remaining, when Derrick Mercer dished it off to Carr. Carr drove the lane and pulled up for a jumper, but his shot was rejected by Hardy. On the ensuing loose ball, Gilmore tracked it down and was fouled with just under three seconds remaining, and he went to the line and calmly sank two free throws for the final margin. Jacksonville had a last chance, but its full-court heave ended up in the hands of Gilmore, who ran out the final ticks.
Mercer led the Eagles with 17 points on five-of-eight shooting from the floor and a seven-of-seven showing from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Gilmore's last two free throws gave him 13 points for the game, besting his previous career-best of 11 points.
Jacksonville, which falls to 3-5 overall, was led by Lehmon Colbert's 17 points and 10 points from Ben Smith, six points below his season average.
The Eagles improve to 6-4 overall leading into a seven-game road trip that includes games at Maryland and Georgetown. The trip begins with a foray to Dayton to play the Flyers on December 19. American doesn't return home until Saturday, Jan. 19, when they host Colgate in its Patriot League home opener.
