Johnny O'Neil
69
Winner American Americ 7-2,0-0 Patriot
64
George Washington GWU 5-4,0-0 Atlantic 10
Winner
American Americ
7-2,0-0 Patriot
69
Final
64
George Washington GWU
5-4,0-0 Atlantic 10
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
American Americ 30 39 69
George Washington GWU 24 40 64

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Defeats George Washington for Seventh Straight Win

WASHINGTON – The seventh win of seven straight for American University men's basketball (7-2) solidified its place in the District of Columbia this season, as the Eagles beat DC rival George Washington (5-4), 69-64, at the Charles E. Smith Center. Led by junior Johnny O'Neil with a game-high 19 points, the Eagles shot 50 percent from the field to pick up the win over the Colonials and go undefeated against DC schools this season after a win at Georgetown on Nov. 23.
 
QUICK NOTABLES
  • The Eagles now stand at 7-2 and have not lost a game since Nov. 13 at George Mason.
  • Two Eagles reached double figure in scoring, with O'Neil's 19 and junior Matt Rogers totaling 16.
  • With the win, American is still off to its best start since 2011. That year, the program dropped its first two games of the season before going on to win eight straight.
  • American is 2-0 against DC teams this season, beating local opponents Georgetown and George Washington.
  • AU has now won two straight at GW, and has a 26-21 lead in the all-time series.
  • O'Neil's 19 points is a season high. 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • American was down 9-4 at the first media timeout, but a layup by junior Lorenzo Donadio pulled the Eagles within three.  
  • The Eagles pulled within one off a three-pointer from O'Neil to put the score at 12-1 with 13:13 left to play in the half.
  • The Colonials jumped out to a five-point lead with 9:46 left to play in the half.
  • American started to chip away at the Colonials' lead with back-to-back baskets by O'Neil and freshman Jermaine Ballisager Webb to tie the game at 18.
  • A two-point bucket from freshman Geoff Sprouse then gave American its first lead of the game, 20-18, before George Washington tied the game 20-20.  
  • Senior Jaxon Knotek put the Eagles back on top on a layup with 4:47 left to play in the half, and from there American was able to hold onto the lead to put the score at 30-24 heading into the break.
  • George Washington opened up the second half with a 5-0 run to pull within one of the Eagles, 30-29. The two sides then traded baskets keeping American in front, 32-31.
  • The Colonials went on a 5-0 run at 16:34 of the second half to put them ahead 36-35.
  • The two sides traded the lead until, with the game tied 40-40, a shot from beyond the arc by the Colonials put them ahead 43-40.
  • The Eagles battled back and took a 45-43 lead, and later used a 5-0 run to take a 53-46 lead.
  • With 3:17 left to play in the game, a 6-0 run by George Washington pulled the score back within one.
  • A dunk by Rogers pushed American's lead out to four, 61-57, with 1:41 left to play, and from there the Eagles were able to ride out the clock and secure the win. 


INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • The Eagles shot 50 percent from the field and 72.2 percent from the charity stripe.
  • American held the 37-26 rebounding advantage.
  • Along with reaching double figures in points, both Rogers and O'Neil led the Eagles in rebounds with a team-high six each.
  • Sophomore Elijah Stephens dished out a team-high six assists.
  • Sprouse and Stephens shot a perfect 100 percent from the charity stripe.
UP NEXT
  • American returns to Bender Arena to close out its non-conference slate next week. The Eagles will welcome VMI on Tuesday, Dec. 13 for a 6 p.m. game. Click here to purchase tickets. 
  • They are then set to host Siena on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. to close out non-conference action. 
FOLLOW US
Print Friendly Version