NEWARK, N.J. –American University men's basketball (2-2) picked up its second-straight win on Saturday at NJIT (0-4), 58-53, remaining undefeated against the Highlanders. Sophomore
Elijah Stephens led the Eagles with 14 points while as a team the Eagles shot 43.1 percent from the field and led in rebounds, assists and blocks.
QUICK NOTABLES
- Stephens recorded a season-high and team-leading 14 points. He also dished out a team-high five assists, three steals, and played a team-leading 36 minutes.
- With the Eagles' win, head coach Mike Brennan now moves into sole possession of third on AU's all-time coaching records list. The win marks his 110th career victory at the head of the program.
- The Eagles never trailed in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Stephens put in the first basket of the game to put American up 2-0.
- A foul by American then sent NJIT to the line for two. The Highlanders made one of their extra shots to cut American's lead in half.
- Junior Matt Rogers put in a dunk before the first media timeout was called to put American up 4-1.
- Right after the media timeout, a foul sent freshman Geoff Sprouse to the line for three extra shots. He made all three to put American up by six.
- NJIT pulled within four before a three-point bucket by Rogers put American in the lead by seven, 10-3 with 13:25 left to play in the half.
- The two sides then traded buckets until with the score 16-12 in favor of American, another media timeout was called.
- Rogers made two back-to-back shots to put American up 20-12 with 5:41 left to play in the half.
- The Highlanders countered with a 5-0 run to pull within three, 20-17, before a jumper by Stephens and two extra shots from freshman Jermaine Ballisager Webb put American ahead 24-17.
- An American foul sent NJIT to the line for two. The Highlanders made both extra shots to send the game into halftime with the score 24-19 in favor of American.
- NJIT put in the first four points of the second half to pull within one of American early in the half.
- American countered with a 4-0 run to put themselves back in front by five, before a foul sent NJIT to the line for two extra shots to pull the score back within three.
- The two squads traded baskets until NJIT made a three-pointer to pull within one yet again, 33-32, as a media timeout was called.
- Later in the half, American went on a 6-0 run to take a 41-34 lead with 11:00 left to play in the game. The Eagles' run was broken up by a three-point basket from NJIT.
- With the score 43-42 in favor of American, an Eagles' foul sent NJIT to the line for two extra shots. The Highlanders made one to tie up the game 43-43.
- American started to pull away with 3:22 left to play after a three-point basket by Sprouse put American ahead 49-45. Stephens then put in a layup to put the score at 51-45.
- The Highlanders started to come back with 30 seconds left after an American foul sent them to the line for two extra shots, but four shots from the charity stripe for the Eagles secured the 56-51 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Along with Stephens, Rogers recorded double figure points with 12.
- Rogers led in rebounds with a team-high eight and junior Johnny O'Neil led the squad in blocks with two.
- As a team, the Eagles shot 43.1 percent from the field, 21.4 percent from beyond the arc and 73.3 percent from the free throw line. American led in field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
- The Eagles just out-rebounded the Highlanders, 34-33. The two squads were even in offensive rebounds 7-7 while American led in defensive rebounds 27-26.
- American led in assists 9-6 and blocks 4-2.
UP NEXT
- American stays on the road for two more games, first at Georgetown University on Wednesday, Nov. 23 and then at Saint Francis on Nov. 26.
- The Eagles return to Bender on Nov. 29 when UAlbany comes to D.C.
FOLLOW US
