Geoff Sprouse
73
Winner American Americ 11-3,3-0 Patriot
68
Holy Cross HolyCr 5-11,2-1 Patriot
Winner
American Americ
11-3,3-0 Patriot
73
Final
68
Holy Cross HolyCr
5-11,2-1 Patriot
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
American Americ 22 37 14 73
Holy Cross HolyCr 24 35 9 68

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Wins Overtime Thriller at Holy Cross; Remains Undefeated in PL Action

WORCESTER, Mass. – Down seven points with a minute left in regulation, two big three-pointers by junior Johnny O'Neil and freshman Geoff Sprouse helped American University men's basketball (11-3, 3-0 PL) force overtime and complete the comeback win over the Holy Cross Crusaders (5-11, 2-1 PL) 73-68. Led by sophomore Elijah Stephens with a career-high 21 points, the Eagles move to 3-0 in Patriot League action.  

QUICK NOTABLES
  • Junior Matt Rogers recorded his second double double of the season with 15 points and a team-leading 11 rebounds.
  • Thursday marked American's first overtime game of the season.
  • The Eagles have now won eight straight against the Crusaders.
  • American is one of three undefeated teams in the Patriot League, joining Army West Point and Colgate as the other undefeated teams in the league so far.
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • American won the tip and after an early scoring drought from both sides, Holy Cross took an early lead.  
  • The Crusaders continued to hold the lead throughout the rest of the half until a 9-0 run by the Eagles evened the game at 22-22.
  • Holy Cross added a basket at the end of the half to take a 24-22 lead heading into halftime.
  • The Crusaders jumped out to a four-point lead right out of the half, before a 3-0 solo run from sophomore Elijah Stephens tied the game at 26.  
  • Holy Cross responded with a 7-0 run to put the score at 33-26.
  • American battled back to tie the game at 40 with 10:56 left to play in regulation.
  • The two sides continued to stay close until with 1:03 left in regulation, with the score 56-49, junior Matt Rogers and Stephens put in back to back baskets to put the Eagles within three.
  • An American foul sent Holy Cross to the line for two extra shots and both shots were made to give the Crusaders a five-point lead.
  • With eight seconds left, junior Johnny O'Neil hit a shot from beyond the arc to pull American within two.
  • Holy Cross put in one extra shot to take a three-point lead, but as the clock hit zero freshman Geoff Sprouse put in a three point basket to tie the game at 59 and send it to overtime.
  • Rogers started off overtime with a three-pointer and from there, the Eagles maintained control for the rest of the game to secure the 73-68 comeback overtime victory.  
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • Three Eagles scored in double figures with sophomore Elijah Stephens totaling 21, junior Matt Rogers totaling 15 and freshman Geoff Sprouse totaling 11.
  • Junior Johnny O'Neil and Stephens played all 40 minutes of action.
  • American shot 44.1 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from beyond the arc overall. They shot 83.3 percent from the field and 100.0 percent from beyond the arc in overtime.
  • The Eagles held the 41-37 rebounding advantage.
UP NEXT
  • American returns to Bender Arena on Sunday, Jan. 8 for a Patriot League contest against Boston University. The game is slated for a 2 p.m. start.  
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