Marvin Bragg
90
Winner American AMER 16-13,12-6
47
Holy Cross HC 3-28,2-16
Winner
American AMER
16-13,12-6
90
Final
47
Holy Cross HC
3-28,2-16
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
American AMER 43 47 90
Holy Cross HC 16 31 47

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's Basketball Clinches Second Seed in PL Tournament with Win at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. -- American University men's basketball led wire-to-wire on Saturday afternoon inside the Hart Center, earning a convincing win over Holy Cross and clinching the second seed in the Patriot League Tournament in the process. 

QUICK NOTABLES

  • By finishing the PL slate at 12-6, AU finished with its most wins in conference play, and the highest seed in the league tournament (2), since the 2013-14 season. 
  • American will have home-court advantage through the semifinals of the PL Tournament. 
  • Ben Lubarsky and Marvin Bragg both finished with season-highs in scoring with 12 and 10 points, respectively. 
  • The 43-point margin of victory is the first 40-point win for American since Dec. 9, 1995, when the Eagles topped Marymount, 123-62. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • American held Holy Cross to just one field goal over the first 13 minutes and led by as many as 30 in the frame.
  • It was the best defensive half of the season for the Eagles, as they limited the Crusaders to just 19 percent from the field and forced 15 turnovers. 
  • Out of the break, Holy Cross created some momentum scoring six straight points before Mark Gasperini stopped the run with a bucket inside.
  • American kept its foot on the gas, finishing the game with a 90-47 victory. 
BY THE NUMBERS
  • All 11 players that saw game action scored on Saturday, including Christian Sutton, who picked up the first field goal of his career on a goaltending call.
  • American held Holy Cross to just 28 percent shooting from the field and the lowest scoring total (47) for an AU opponent all season. 
  • The Eagles made 10 threes in their best three-point shooting performance (55.6 percent) since Nov. 16, 2019, when they made 56.5 percent from deep against Saint Francis (Pa.)
MILESTONE WATCH
  • In addition to climbing up American's all-time scoring list, Sa'eed Nelson has a chance to finish his career near the top of several other statistical lists before playing his final game in the red, white, and blue. 
  • With 272 steals, Sa'eed is 24 away from passing Jarion Childs, who is currently AU's all-time steals leader with 295 thefts from 1996-00. 
  • Additionally, with 77 steals this season, Sa'eed has a chance to move up several spots on AU's single-season steals list. He is currently in fifth, but 11 thefts stand between him and passing Mark Nickens for third place. Nickens had 87 during the 1982-83 season. 
  • Sa'eed is currently third on AU's all-time assists list, just six away from passing Derrick Mercer for second place. Mercer had 524 helpers from 2005-09. 
  • By getting the start on Saturday, Sa'eed is now tied with Andre Ingram for second place with 117 career starts. Mercer tops that list with 122 games started. 
  • Sa'eed has also made his mark on the Patriot League record book this season and has a chance to move up on those lists before his career is done, as well. 
  • He is currently third on the PL scoring list and is 131 points away from passing Rob Feaster of Holy Cross (1991-95) for second place. C.J. McCollum of Lehigh (2009-13) stands alone in first place and Sa'eed needs 268 away to take the mantle from him.
  • With 272 career steals, Sa'eed is currently in second place on the all-time PL list and needs 21 to pass Kevin Hamilton of Holy Cross (2002-06).
  • Finally, Sa'eed is currently tied for ninth on the all-time PL assists list with 519, but needs just 13 helpers to pass Brian Walker of Navy (1993-97) and move into sixth place. 
UP NEXT
  • The Eagles will open the Patriot League tournament with a home quarterfinal game on Thursday, March 5.
  • American will face the winner of the 7-10 matchup, which hasn't been finalized as of press time due to Loyola Maryland and Lehigh tipping off at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
  • Holy Cross is locked in as the No. 10 seed.
  • If Loyola wins tonight, they'll be the No. 7 seed. A Loyola loss will give Bucknell the No. 7 seed.
PL QUARTERFINAL TICKET INFO
  • Ticket prices for the quarterfinal game, set by the Patriot League, are $14 for adults and $7 for seniors (65+) and youth (under 13).
  • Rates for groups with 10+ are $5 per person and must be purchased in advance through the box office.  AU students with valid AU ID will be admitted free of charge.
  • Tickets are now on sale via AUeagles.com/Tickets. Fans can also visit the Athletics Ticket Office in person, or call (202) 885-TIXX (8499) Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to secure their seats.
KEEP UP WITH US
  • For the latest on American University Men's Basketball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MBasketball), Facebook (/AU.MBasketball) and Instagram (@au_mbasketball).
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