WASHINGTON – The American University men's basketball team looks to close its regular season on a high note as it hosts Navy on Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m. for Senior Day and Cassell "Hall of Fame Day" Induction.
American has already clinched a bye in the first round of the Patriot League tournament. With a win, the Eagles would secure a home game for the quarterfinal round of the tournament. The Senior Day ceremony will take place shortly before the start of the game, and the Cassell "Hall of Fame Day" Induction ceremony will take place at halftime. The game will be presented by official game sponsor Wegmans.
Five senior basketball players will be recognized before the game at 1:45 p.m.:
Chris Gleaton,
Colin Smalls,
Lorenzo Donadio,
Lincoln Ball and
Matt Rogers. Three senior team managers will also be recognized: Andres Maduro, Lula Mantegna and Sammy Schulman.
Quick Info
- Date/Time: Saturday, March 2; 2:00 p.m.
- Site: Washington, D.C.
- Series History: Tied, 52-52
- TV: ESPN+
- Talent: Dan Laing and Gordon Austin
Inside the Series
- This will be the 105th meeting between American and Navy, with the all-time series tied at 52 wins apiece.
- American boasts a 24-17 record when playing at home against the Midshipmen.
Earlier This Season …
- American and Navy met on Feb. 14 at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md., with the Eagles coming out on top, 59-42.
- The Eagles, who were without four of their seven leading scorers, were led by Rogers, who scored 18 of AU's 22 points in the second half on his way to a 25-point night.
- American held Navy to 28 percent shooting for the game and a season-low 42 points.
What to Know About American
- In its last game, American used a huge second half to deliver a season sweep of Army, 73-51. Seven different Eagles made a three-pointer, and 23 of AU's 27 field goals were assisted. American outscored Army 37-20 in the second half, and freshman Greg Jones scored a career-high 10 points in his fifth start of the season.
- Rogers leads AU and ranks fourth in the League with 16.2 points per game, adding 6.2 rebounds per game (seventh in PL). Rogers has reached double-figures scoring in all but four games played this season. He led the Eagles with 19 points in the win at Army.
- Junior Elijah Stephens leads AU and ranks second in the Patriot League with 5.0 assists per game. His assist/turnover ratio of 2.2 ranks fourth in the League, and his 11.9 points per game rank 10th in the PL.
- Ball has seen an increased role on offense as a result of the Eagles' injury woes. Prior to February, Ball had reached double-figures scoring one time in his career. Ball has scored 10 or more points in four out of the Eagles' last five games.
- On Sunday, February 25, American delivered an upset win at Colgate, as Stephens hit the game-winning shot with just two seconds left to beat the Raiders 66-64. At the time, Colgate had the second-longest winning streak in the country, having won 12 contests in a row.
Scouting the Midshipmen
- Navy enters Saturday's game with an 11-17 record, and a 7-10 record in the Patriot League.
- In its last game, Navy topped Lafayette, who was in second place in the League at the time, 62-58. Sophomore Austin Benigni led the Midshipmen with 18 points, adding five assists and two rebounds.
- After losing eight games in a row, Navy is on a three-game winning streak with wins over Loyola, Holy Cross and Lafayette.
- Sophomore Austin Benigni leads the Mids and ranks second in the PL with 16.6 points per game. He ranks fourth in the League with 3.8 assists per game.
- Fellow sophomore Donovan Draper leads the League with 9.1 rebounds per game (42nd nationally). His 2.0 steals per game lead the League, and he adds 9.3 points per game.
- Navy leads the Patriot League with 12.4 offensive rebounds per game and 7.83 steals per game. Its turnover differential of 4.14 leads the League by a wide margin.
- Head coach Ed DeChellis is in his 13th season at Navy. He has coached more games than any active Patriot League coach and was named Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
AU Student-Athlete Advisory Council to Host Food Drive
- As an extension of the Patriot League's "I Make My Voice Heard" campaign, members of AU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will join forces with TEAM AU Corporate Partner and official game sponsor Wegmans, hosting and staffing collection stations for donations of canned and non-perishable food items from attendees at the game in support of AU's The Market food pantry, helping to combat and assist those AU students affected by food insecurity.
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