WEST POINT, N.Y. – After getting out to a slow start, American University men's basketball (12-4, 4-1 PL) fell to Army West Point (10-8, 4-1, PL) Wednesday night, 72-60. Led by junior
Colin Smalls with a team-high 13 points, the Eagles were not able to overcome the Black Knights' strong first half as they dropped their first league game of the season.
QUICK NOTABLES
- The Eagles were led by junior Colin Smalls with 13 points. Two other Eagles, junior Matt Rogers and sophomore Elijah Stephens also recorded double figure points totaling 11.
- Rogers has now scored in double figures in eleven straight games.
- The Eagles outscored the Black Knights in the second half 41-40.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- American won the tip but Army West Point put in the first basket and jumped out to an early 7-6 lead.
- The Black Knights remained in control and pushed out their lead with a 14-0 run.
- Freshman Jermaine Ballisager Webb broke Army's run to put the score at 18-9 with 8:56 left in the half.
- Army added 14 more points to take a 32-19 lead heading into halftime.
- The two sides traded baskets to start the second half, putting the score at 34-21.
- The Black Knights then went on a 7-0 run to push out their lead before the run was broken up with a layup by junior Lincoln Ball.
- A hook shot and two free throws by junior Matt Rogers pull American within 16 with 10:42 left to play in the game.
- A few minutes later, a series of shots from the charity stripe and an and one from junior Colin Smalls pulled American within 12 of the home team.
- The Eagles continued to try to chip away at the Black Knight's lead for the rest of the game, but the Black Knights were able to secure the 72-60 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- American held the 10-2 steal advantage.
- O'Neil led the team in rebounds with six.
- Stephens led the team in assists with three while Ball, Smalls and Ballisager Webb each totaled two steals.
UP NEXT
- The Eagles remain on the road on Saturday, Jan. 14 for a 2 p.m. game at Lehigh.
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