WASHINGTON – Up by double-digits early in the game, American University men's basketball (15-10, 7-7 PL) could not overcome turnover troubles as the Holy Cross Crusaders (9-18, 6-8 PL) were able to capitalize and claim the 74-66 Saturday win. Led by double figure scoring from junior
Colin Smalls,
Matt Rogers, and
Johnny O'Neil the Eagles move to 7-7 in Patriot League play with four games to play in the regular season.
QUICK NOTABLES
- American and Holy Cross split the regular season series with each team winning on the opposing team's court.
- O'Neil recorded a block in Saturday's game bringing his season total blocks to 37. This moves him into sole possession of tenth all-time in American's record books for single season blocks.
- With his 16 points in the game, Smalls had now scored in double figures in three-straight games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- American won the tip and opened up the game with a 4-0 run.
- Holy Cross put in a dunk to cut the Eagles' lead in half but American responded by jumping out to a 23-12 lead
- The Crusaders responded with an 11-0 run to even the score at 23.
- A jumper from Smalls then gave American the lead, 25-23. The Crusaders evened the score once again off two shots from the charity stripe with just over five minutes to play.
- Smalls once again broke the tie with a jumper to put American in front but it was the Crusaders who took a 32-29 lead.
- Freshman Geoff Sprouse made a three-pointer to even the game at 32 but the Crusaders had the final say of the half, putting in a layup with under a minute to play to take a 34-32 heading into the locker room.
- O'Neil put in a layup tie up the game, 34-34, at the start of the second half.
- Holy Cross responded with a 4-0 run and then jumped out to a 41-37 lead.
- Rogers put in a jumper to pull American within two, 41-39, and then a few plays later, a bucket from freshman Jermaine Ballisager Webb pulled American within one, 42-41.
- Smalls put in a jumper and drew an and one to give American a 44-42 lead with 14:34 left to play in the game. American then jumped out to a 55-48 lead before Holy Cross went on a 6-0 run to pull within one of American, 55-54.
- O'Neil drew a foul, headed to the line for two and made both extra shots to put American in front 57-54.
- The Crusaders tied the game on a three-point basket with 6:28 left to play and from there the visitors took control for the rest of the game to hang on for the road win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Eagles and Crusaders were even in rebounds, each pulling down 29 boards. Holy Cross led in offensive rebounds, 10-5, while American led in defensive rebounds, 24-19.
- American held the 13-11 assists advantage and the 4-1 block advantage.
- Both juniors Johnny O'Neil and Matt Rogers led the team in rebounds with eight each. Rogers also led in assists with five.
UP NEXT
- American will travel to Bucknell on Monday, Feb. 13 for a 7 p.m. game. Monday's game will be televised on CBS Sports.
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