Seniors Jaxon Knotek, Ben Lubarky and Zach Coopersmith stand with head coach Mike Brennan on the court.
62
Winner Lehigh Lehigh 15-12,10-6 Patriot
59
American Americ 15-12,7-9 Patriot
Winner
Lehigh Lehigh
15-12,10-6 Patriot
62
Final
59
American Americ
15-12,7-9 Patriot
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Lehigh Lehigh 33 29 62
American Americ 27 32 59

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Senior Day Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Lehigh

WASHINGTON – American University men's basketball (15-12, 7-9 PL) used a 32 -point second half to pull within two of the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks (15-12, 10-6 PL) with 41 seconds left on the clock, but the Eagles could not complete the comeback as the Mountain Hawks held off the Eagles' offense and secured the Saturday win in Bender.  
 
QUICK NOTABLES
  • Junior Johnny O'Neil recorded one block in Saturday's game moving his career total to 85 and season total to 40. His is now six away from tying Patrick Doctor for ninth all-time career blocks in AU's record book and seven away from taking sole possession of ninth all-time. His 40 blocks so far this season put him in a tie for sixth all-time in the record book with Juan Jones' 40 blocks during the 1980-81 season.
  • Junior Matt Rogers led the team with a season-high 22 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • The two teams traded baskets to start the game until Lehigh took the lead, 12-6.
  • Sophomore Elijah Stephens and freshman Geoff Sprouse pulled American within two points, 12-10, off back-to-back baskets before it was Lehigh that jumped back out to a 23-16 lead.
  • A jumper from freshman Jermaine Ballisager Webb then sparked a 9-0 scoring run for American to pull the Eagles within two, 25-23.
  • Lehigh broke American's run with just over two minutes to play in the half, taking a 33-27 lead heading into halftime.
  • The Mountain Hawks jumped out to 51-37 lead in the second half before American started to attempt a comeback.  
  • Baskets from Rogers, O'Neil, and junior Lorenzo Donadio broke Lehigh's run to put the score at 51-46. After a jumper by Lehigh, American battled back to pull within five, 59-54, and cut the visitors lead down to two off a dunk from Rogers and two extra shots from Stephens with 41 seconds left in the game.
  • An extra shot from the charity stripe by the Mountain Hawks put them ahead by three, but two extra shots from Stephens pulled American within one, 60-59, with nine seconds to play.
  • A foul by American then sent Lehigh to the line two. The Mountain Hawks made both extra shots to secure the win and sweep the regular season series.  


INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • O'Neil and sophomore Elijah Stephens also scored in double figures in the game, each recording 10 points. O'Neil led the team in rebounds with six, just four shy of a double double.
  • Stephens led the team in assists with five and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.
  • American held the 5-3 steals advantage and 2-1 blocks advantage, while Lehigh held the advantage in assists and rebounds
UP NEXT
  • American remains at home on Wednesday, Feb. 22 for its final home game of the season. The game is set for a 7 p.m. start against Navy and is presented by official game sponsor AU Kogod School of Business.
  • The Eagles will close out their regular season slate on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Loyola Maryland. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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