WASHINGTON – Down 15 with under five minutes to play in the game, American University men's basketball (14-8, 6-5 PL) pulled within five points in a second half comeback attempt, but the fell just short at they dropped their fifth league game of the season to the Bucknell Bison (9-15, 2-9 PL), 78-71, Wednesday night in Bender Arena.
QUICK NOTABLES
- With his three blocks in the game, junior Johnny O'Neil now has 36 blocks this season moving him into a tie for tenth in American's record book for single season blocks.
- Four Eagles scored in double figures Wednesday night. Freshman Geoff Sprouse led American with 16 points, while junior Matt Rogers recorded 12 and both O'Neil and sophomore Elijah Stephens totaled 10.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- American won the tip and took an early 5-2 lead.
- The Bison then quickly jumped out to an 18-9 lead just under five minutes into the game.
- Stephens put in a layup to pull American within seven, but the Bison once again took control of the game jumping out to a 32-24 lead with 7:55 left in the half.
- American started to chip away at Bucknell's lead with a 6-0 run to pull the Eagles within a basket, 32-30 with just over five minutes to play in the half.
- The Bison pushed their lead out to 12 at the half and then took a 49-35 lead to start the second half.
- A dunk by O'Neil and a layup from junior Colin Smalls pulled American within 10, 49-39 but strong three-point shooting by the Bison gave them their largest lead of the game, 61-42, with 11:03 to play.
- American went on a 5-0 run to put the score at 61-47 in favor of Bucknell before the Bison once again stormed out and took a 15-point lead with just under five minutes to play.
- The Eagles were able to pull back within five with 39 seconds left on the clock, but two extra shots from the charity stripe by the Bison sealed the 78-71 Wednesday night win for the visitors.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- American outscored Bucknell in the second half, 39-34.
- American shot 50 percent from the field and 73.3 percent from the free throw line.
- The Eagles held the 33-24 rebounding advantage, totaling 13 offensive boards and 20 defensive boards.
UP NEXT
- The Eagles will remain at home on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a 4 p.m. game against the Colgate Raiders.
TICKETS
- Season tickets, mini-plans and individual game tickets for home games in Bender Arena in premium seating locations are still at AUeagles.com/Tickets.
- AU students are admitted FREE with a valid undergraduate, graduate, or WCL ID.
- The February 4-Pack ticket mini plan on sale now. The mini-plan gets a sideline ticket to four games of your choice in February, starting at $30. Visit AUeagles.com/Tickets to purchase your tickets today.
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