BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In a game that saw four ties and 12 lead changes, American University men's basketball (12-5, 4-2 PL) dropped its second-straight Patriot League game, 78-60, to the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks (9-8, 4-2 PL). Led by junior
Johnny O'Neil with his second double-double of the season, the Eagles couldn't overcome the Mountain Hawks' hot shooting as they picked up their second league loss of the season.
QUICK NOTABLES
- O'Neil now has 74 blocks, inching closer to moving into ninth all-time in the American record books.
- Junior Matt Rogers has now scored in double figures for the 12th straight game and in 14 games this season.
- The Eagles have had the same starting five for the last six games.
- Rogers' team-leading four assists was a season-high for the junior.
- O'Neil's 12 points and 10 rebounds marked his second double-double of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- American won the tip and back and forth baskets put the game at a 4-4 tie early in the game.
- Junior Colin Smalls broke the tie with a layup to put the score at 6-4 in favor of American with 16:12 left to play, before a 9-0 run by Lehigh gave the Mountain Hawks a 13-6 lead with 14:10 left in the half.
- Freshman Geoff Sprouse broke Lehigh's run with a three-pointer, and sparked a 7-0 run to even the score at 13-13 with 11:10 left in the half.
- The Mountain Hawks took a 18-15 lead with 9:14 left in the half but two extra shots from Sprouse and a three-pointer from Rogers put American back in front 20-18.
- The two sides kept the game close throughout the rest of the first half, but it was the Mountain Hawks who took the 31-28 lead heading into halftime.
- Lehigh started off the second half with a three-point shot to take a six-point lead before two extra shots from Rogers pulled American back within four.
- The Mountain Hawks pulled out to a 14-point lead with 13:52 to play in the half.
- American was able to chip away at Lehigh's lead and pull within six with just over six minutes left in the game, but the Mountain Hawks continued to dominate and claimed the 78-62 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Eagles held the 39-32 rebounding advantage, pulling down 12 offensive boards and 27 defensive boards.
- Stephens led the Eagles with 14 points while Rogers, O'Neil and Sprouse also scored in double figures totaling 12, 12, and 10 points, respectively.
- O'Neil's 10 rebounds and two blocks led American in both categories.
UP NEXT
- American returns to Bender Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 18 for a 7 p.m. game against Lafayette.
- The Eagles will be back on the road on Saturday, Jan. 21 as they are set to travel to Hamilton, N.Y. for a 2 p.m. game against Colgate.
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