BALTIMORE, Md. – Despite holding the lead for the majority of the game, American University (15-14, 7-11 PL) men's basketball could not stop Loyola Maryland's (12-19, 7-11 PL) hot shooting as the Greyhound forced overtime and picked up the win Saturday in Baltimore. The Eagles will now enter the Patriot League Tournament as the seventh seed and are set to host Bucknell on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament.
QUICK NOTABLES
- Junior Matt Rogers recorded his third double double of the season with a career high 16 rebounds and a season high 24 points. He led all scorers in the game.
- The game was American's second overtime game of the season. The Eagles are now 1-1 in overtime games this season after beating Holy Cross in overtime in January.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- American won the tip and went up 2-0 on extra shots from junior Lorenzo Donadio.
- The Eagles and Greyhounds then continued to stay even and trade baskets until a three-point basket from junior Colin Smalls sparked an 8-0 run for the Eagles to give them a 25-17 lead.
- Loyola evened the score with 3:45 left to play in the half but the Eagles were able to stay ahead and take a 33-31 lead heading into the second half.
- The two sides traded baskets to start the second half, putting the score at 35-33 in favor of American. Junior Johnny O'Neil then sparked a 5-0 run for the Eagles to put them ahead by seven, 40-33, before the Greyhounds broke American's run with a shot from beyond the arc to pull within four, 40-36.
- Sophomore Elijah Stephens went on a 7-0 scoring run of his own to put American up by eight, 47-39, with 15:30 left in the half.
- American took an eight-point lead, 51-43, with 13:29 left in the game off a basket from Rogers.
- The Greyhounds went on a 5-0 run to even the game, 54-54, with 10:25 left, but baskets from O'Neil and senior Jaxon Knotek put the Eagles back in the lead.
- The Greyhounds battled to pull within one of the Eagles with 7:10 left to play and then with under three minutes in the game, evened the score 65-65.
- Two fouls by the Greyhounds sent Rogers and O'Neil to the line, each for two extra shots. All four extra shots were made to put American back in the lead, 69-65, with just under two minutes to play.
- Loyola evened the score twice in the final 40 seconds to send the game into overtime and then outscored the Eagles 12-6 in overtime to pick up the overtime win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- American pulled down 17 offensive rebounds and 29 defensive rebounds for a season-high 46 rebounds.
- The Eagles held the 4-3 blocks advantage.
- American shot 40.6 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.
- O'Neil and Smalls also scored in double figures, each totaling 10 points.
UP NEXT
- American will enter the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 7 seed. The Eagles will host Bucknell in the first round of the tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. The winner of Tuesday's game will advance to the quarterfinals and will travel to No. 2 Navy for a 7 p.m. game.
MEN'S BASKETBALL PATRIOT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND TICKET INFORMATION
- Click here to purchase tickets to Tuesday's game.
- Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for youth (13 and below) and Seniors. All ticket prices are set by the Patriot League.
- AU students will be admitted free with a valid AU ID.
- Bucknell fans wishing to sit in Sections 116/117/118 behind their team bench are encouraged to purchase tickets through the Bucknell Athletics Ticket Office.
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