ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The American University men's basketball's (17-14, 7-11 PL) Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinal matchup against Navy saw a different result than it did a year ago, as the seventh-seeded Eagles upset the second-seeded Navy Midshipmen (18-13, 11-7 PL), 52-51. Led by junior
Matt Rogers' team-leading 17 points, the Eagles advance in the Patriot League Tournament to take on sixth-seeded Lafayette in the semifinals.
QUICK NOTABLES
- American advances to the semifinals for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
- Junior Johnny O'Neil recorded four blocks in Thursday's game, putting his career block total at 95. He is now eighth all-time in American's record book in career blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Navy won the tip and went up 2-0 to start the game before Rogers responded with a 4-0 run for the Eagles to put American in the lead.
- The two sides traded baskets until halfway through the first half, the Midshipmen took a commanding 20-9 lead.
- Two extra shots from sophomore Elijah Stephens and dunks from Rogers and O'Neil helped American start to chip away at the Midshipmen's lead pulling American within five, 20-15, with under 10 minutes to play in the half.
- American responded with an 8-0 run to pull within two of the Midshipmen, 25-23.
- After the two sides traded baskets, American capped off the first half with another 8-0 scoring run to take a 33-27 lead at the half.
- Navy started off the second half with a jumper to pull within three of the Eagles, 33-30, but back-to-back baskets from Rogers and O'Neil gave American a seven-point lead.
- The two sides kept the score close until a second-chance jumper from Rogers put American back in the lead by six.
- The Midshipmen continued to chip away at the Eagles lead, pulling as close as three points, 49-46, with 1:19 left to play in the game, but a three-point basket from graduate student Connor Nelson was the final push the Eagles needed as they hung on for the quarterfinal win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- American shot 55 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc and 50 percent from the charity stripe.
- American held the 30-28 rebounding advantage and the 9-1 block advantage.
UP NEXT
- American is now set for a semifinal matchup against No. 6 seed Lafayette on Sunday at 4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
MEN'S BASKETBALL PATRIOT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL ROUND TICKET INFORMATION AT LAFAYETTE
- Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for AU students, youth (13 and below) and Seniors. All ticket prices are set by the Patriot League.
- AU fans, alumni and students wishing to sit with Eagles fans in the AU seating block should purchase their tickets by calling the AU Athletics Ticket Office at (202) 885-TIXX by 4 pm on Friday, March 3.
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