Jan. 24, 2009
Box Score
WASHINGTON - The American University men's
basketball team was defeated at Holy Cross on Saturday, 71-62,
despite a strong second half comeback effort. The Eagles fell
behind by as many as 19 in the second half and fought back to
within two but could not complete the comeback down the stretch. Derrick
Mercer scored 19 points to lead the Eagles and dished out five
assists.
Holy Cross (9-11, 4-1) took advantage of early turnovers by
American (11-7, 3-1) to sprint out to a 14-5 lead just four minutes
into the game. Brian Gilmore hit a
three from the right corner to end the run but the Crusaders
answered right back with a three-point play from Devin Brown. Jordan
Nichols brought the Eagles to within five on the scoreboard,
19-14, as he was left alone under the basket for a two-handed slam.
R.J. Evans scored the game's next five points though to give Holy
Cross a 10 point lead, 24-14, with 8:07 to play.
Derrick
Mercer scored nine-consecutive points for American during a
three-plus minute span to cut AU's deficit to five, 23-28, with
just over four minutes remaining. Mercer was forced to the bench
shortly after though with two fouls. With Mercer on the bench Holy
Cross opened up a 6-0 run to take an 11 point lead, 34-23. Colin
Cunningham sank two free-throws with just five seconds on the
clock, sending the teams into the locker room for the half with
Holy Cross leading by 12, 36-24.
Holy Cross opened the second half on a 9-2 run to take a 19
point lead, 45-26. American responded quickly with a 22-5 run of
its own, bringing the team to within two, 50-48, with 7:29 to play.
Gilmore scored 12 points during the eight minute stretch, including
10 of the teams final 12. Gilmore and Nick Hendra began the
run with a pair of three-pointers and Gilmore finished it with
three straight free-throws.
The Crusaders reopened a seven point advantage, 58-51, on an
Eric Meister layup with 4:17 remaining but the Eagles answered back
with a Nichols lay-in to bring the score back to within five. Holy
Cross however had the answer for AU and sank seven free-throws in
the final two minutes to secure the victory, 71-62.
Mercer led the Eagles with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and
added five assists. Gilmore scored 17 points, including 14 in the
second half, and grabbed eight rebounds while Carr added 12 points.
Nichols pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, including five on the
offensive end, and chipped in eight points.
American will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 28, as the
team travels to Navy for the final game of a three-game roadtrip.
Tipoff from Annapolis, Md., is scheduled for 7 p.m.
