WASHINGTON – After defeating No. 2 seed Navy in the Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday, American University men's basketball (17-14, 7-11 PL) heads to No. 6 seed Lafayette (10-22, 7-11 PL) for a matchup with the Leopards in the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals on Sunday.
QUICK INFO
- Date/Time: Sunday, March 5; 4:00 PM
- Site: Easton, Pa. (Kirby Sports Center)
- Series History: American leads, 39-30
- TV: CBS Sports Network
INSIDE THE SERIES
- American leads the all-time series 39-30 while Lafayette leads the all-time series in Easton, 18-15. American split the regular season series with the Leopards as thee Eagles won the regular season meeting in Kirby Sports Center, 60-47, and Lafayette won the regular season meeting in D.C. 70-59.
- The last meeting between the two teams was on Jan. 18, 2023 in Bender Arena. Lafayette won the meeting 70-59. Sophomore Elijah Stephens led the Eagles with 17 points in the game while junior Johnny O'Neil led in rebounds with eight.
- The Eagles and Leopards have matched up seven other times in the Patriot League Tournament. Most recently, the two programs met during the 2017-18 season Patriot League Tournament First Round in Easton, Pa. Lafayette won that meeting 93-86.
- The last time the two teams faced-off in Kirby Sports Center for a Patriot League Tournament game was for the 2015 Patriot League Championship. Lafayette came away with the 65-63 win to secure its third Patriot League Championship in school history.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- American upset No. 2 seed Navy on Thursday in the Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals. Junior Matt Rogers led American with 17 points while junior Johnny O'Neil added 15 points and nine rebounds.
- The Eagles are in the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
- O'Neil and Rogers received Patriot League postseason honors on Monday. Rogers was named to the league's Second Team and O'Neil was selected to the league's All-Defensive Team. O'Neil received an additional honor on Wednesday as he was selected to the Patriot League Academic All-League Team.
- American is led by Rogers who is averaging 13.8 points per game.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LAFAYETTE
- Lafayette enters Sunday's semifinal game after upsetting No. 3 seed Lehigh in the quarterfinals, 71-64. Freshman Josh Rivera led all scorers in the game with 24 points.
- Two Leopards earned Patriot League postseason honors. Sophomore CJ Fulton was named to league's Third Team while Rivera was named to the league's All-Rookie Team. Fulton was also named to the All-Patriot League Academic Team.
- Sunday's game will be the 14th Patriot League Tournament game the Leopards have hosted in Kirby Sports Center and hold an 11-2 record in previous tournament games.
- Lafayette is led by senior Leo O'Boyle who is averaging 11.4 points per game.
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