Elijah Stephens
Scott Fields
70
Winner Lafayette Laf 6-14,4-3 Patriot
59
American Americ 12-6,4-3 Patriot
Winner
Lafayette Laf
6-14,4-3 Patriot
70
Final
59
American Americ
12-6,4-3 Patriot
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Lafayette Laf 33 37 70
American Americ 21 38 59

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Drops Wednesday Contest to Lafayette; Splits Regular Season Series

WASHINGTON – American University men's basketball (12-6, 4-3 PL) couldn't seem to stop Lafayette's (6-14, 4-3 PL) hot shooting as the Leopards defeated the Eagles Wednesday night in Bender Arena. Led by sophomore Elijah Stephens' 17 points and junior Johnny O'Neil's 15 points, the Eagles could not overcome the early deficit as they dropped their third-straight Patriot League game.
 
QUICK NOTABLES
  • With the win in December at Lafayette and the loss in Bender, the Leopards and Eagles have now split the regular season series.  
  • O'Neil was just two rebounds shy of recording his second straight double double. The junior finished the night with 15 points and eight rebounds.
  • Junior Matt Rogers and freshman Geoff Sprouse led the team in assists with four each.
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • American won the tip but Lafayette immediately jumped out to a 17-4 lead.
  • Stephens broke through the Leopards' defense with a three-pointer and a jumper to put the score at 19-9 with 10:24 left to play in the half.
  • Lafayette continued to dominate in the first 20 minutes of the game, taking a 33-21 lead at halftime.
  • The two sides traded baskets to start the second half to put the score at 39-27 in favor of Lafayette, before a layup and three-point basket from O'Neil broke up the back and forth scoring to pull American within nine.
  • The Leopards then pulled out to a 15-point lead off back-to-back shots from beyond the arc.
  • Lafayette continued to dominate but American was able to battle back within nine with 3:24 left to play in the game.
  • The visitors were able to stop American's late comeback attempt and hang on for the Wednesday night win. 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • The two sides were even in rebounds with Lafayette holding the 7-3 offensive rebound edge and American holding the 19-15 defensive rebound edge.
  • The Eagles held the 7-1 block advantage.
  • American outscored Lafayette 38-37 in the second half.  
  • American shot 56.1 percent from the field, 42.1 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the charity stripe. 
UP NEXT
  • American will head back on the road on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a 2 p.m. game against Colgate.
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