Feb. 14, 2009
Box Score
WASHINGTON - The American University men's
basketball team won its sixth-consecutive game on Saturday, 69-44,
over Colgate to clinch home court advantage in the first round of
the Patriot League Tournament. Nick Hendra tallied
his first career double-double to lead the Eagles with 16 points
and 11 rebounds. Derrick Mercer
netted 15 points and both Garrison Carr and
Brian
Gilmore added 11.
American (17-7, 9-1) pulled out to a 16-4 lead in the first half
on the strength of an 11-0 run. Carr hit a 20-foot jumper and was
followed on the next possession by a Bryce Simon three to
get the score to 11-4. Frank Borden pushed
the score to 13-4 on a reverse layup and Mercer capped the run off
with a three-pointer with just over 11 minutes to play. American's
run was ended by a Willie Morse jumper but two straight AU baskets
pushed the Eagles advantage to 14, 20-6.
The Eagles lead reached as many as 20 points in the half, 33-13,
on Gilmore's second three of the frame. Colgate put together a 7-0
run over the final minutes of the half to cut American's lead to
13, 33-20, heading into the locker room.
AU dominated the box score at the break, shooting 50.0 percent
(12-24) from the floor while limiting Colgate to just 26.1 percent
(6-23). American also held a sizeable advantage over the Raiders on
the boards, pulling down 18 rebounds to Colgate's 13. Mercer and
Hendra each tallied seven first half points and Hendra led the team
on the glass with six rebounds.
American opened the second half on an 8-3 run to extend its lead
to 18 points, 41-23. Carr connected on a three-ball to get the
score to 39-23 and Mercer finished off the stretch with a tough
lay-in. Mercer later made it a 20-point game as he beat the shot
clock with a driving basket. On Colgate's ensuing possession Mercer
came away with a steal and found Hendra filling the lane for a one
handed slam to give the Eagles a 53-31 lead with 11:00 remaining.
The Eagles continued to roll down the stretch, taking a 24 point
lead on a Gilmore three from the right wing, 60-36. Carr moved the
score to 62-36 on AU's next possession with a mid-range jumper and
Stephen
Lumpkins upped the advantage to 64-36 with just over 2:00 to
play. Simon
McCormack rounded out the scoring for American with two
free-throws as AU cruised to the 69-44 victory.
Hendra led all scorers with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. The
sophomore recorded his first career double-double with 11 rebounds
and dished out a team-high three assists. Mercer tallied 15 points
on 5-of-8 shooting and notched five rebounds, two assists and two
assists. Carr and Gilmore each added 11 points.
The Eagles shot a combined 51.0 percent (26-51) for the game and
43.8 percent (7-16) from three-point range. AU held Colgate to just
30.0 percent (15-48) shooting and outrebounded the Raiders by a
margin of 39-24.
AU secured home-court advantage in the first round of the 2009
Patriot League Tournament with its win over Colgate. American's
Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinal game is scheduled for
Wednesday, March, 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Bender Arena. Tickets to the
game are on-sale now and can be purchased online by clicking
here or by calling (202) 885-TIXX.
American also matched its longest winning streak of the year of
six games and improves to 8-1 at Bender Arena. The Eagles have won
12 straight against PL opponents at home dating back to last
season. AU also improves to 9-1 in the PL, marking the team's best
in-conference record since the 1980-81 team went a perfect 11-0 in
the East Coast Conference.
American will be back in action this Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Army
with tipoff from Christl Arena scheduled for 7 p.m.
