9 January, 2007
by Elliot Smilowitz
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1st |
2nd |
Final |
| American (8-8, 0-2 Patriot) |
27 |
33 |
60 |
| Bucknell (8-7, 2-0 Patriot) |
28 |
38 |
66 |
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Returning to the scene where their last two seasons were ended, American hung tough before falling to Bucknell 66-60. Chris McNaughton led the Bison with 16 points.
The two teams traded the lead early, with neither team taking an advantage until American used a 7-2 run to claim an 18-11 lead midway through the first half. Bucknell quickly ran off 7 unanswered points to tie the game, and the two teams continued jostling for control. Bucknell went inside early, with McNaughton and Donald Brown scoring 9 and 8 points respectively in the first half. Starting backcourt Abe Badmus, Jason Vegotsky and John Griffin attempted a combined 3 first-half shots, scoring just 6 points as Bucknell took a 1-point lead into the break.
However, the Bison came out of halftime firing, going on a 9-0 run to take command of the game. Vegotsky highlighted that early run with a pair of three-pointers while American went scoreless for more than 5 minutes. Finally, Eagle sharpshooter Garrison Carr put a stop to it, hitting 2 three-pointers to create a one-man 6-1 run for American. The Eagles climbed back close as the Bison offense ground to a halt; with just under 4 minutes remaining American came within 1 point on an Andre Ingram three-ball. However, the Eagle offense constricted down the stretch and Bucknell hit their free throws to ice the game.
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| Keys to the Game |
| Key sequence |
With 2:03 left and American down by 3, Carr stole the ball from Badmus but failed to convert a fast-break lay-up. Darren Mastropaolo got the rebound and was fouled. He missed both free throws, but Travis Lay turned the ball over for the Eagles, leading to a McNaughton lay-up. With American clinging to hope, Brayden Billbe missed a jumper. Bucknell ran down the shot clock until there were 59 seconds left in the game and McNaughton hit another basket, giving Bucknell a 7-point lead.
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| Key sign it was over |
The Bison were 8-for-8 from the line in the final minute of play, making sure American could never sniff a comeback. The Eagles executed their miracle offense fairly well, scoring 9 points in the final minute, but they couldn’t get close enough.
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| Key performance |
Brown again did it all for Bucknell, with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. He continues to be the best all-around player for the Bison this season.
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| Key statistic |
Bucknell took 29 free throws, hitting 23; American hit all 6 of their attempts.
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| Notes |
| – |
Arvydas Eitutavicius once again led American in scoring off the bench, putting in 18 points including 4 threes, along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 25 minutes. Meanwhile, starting shooting guard Linas Lekavicius totaled 4 points and 2 rebounds on the night.
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| – |
The game had 7 lead changes and 4 ties, all in the first half.
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Bucknell’s struggling outside game got significantly fewer shots than usual, with only 9 three-pointers attempted (3 hit). Meanwhile, American was 10-for-22 from the arc, with Carr and Eitutavicius drilling 4 apiece.
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Bucknell now heads to Worcester for a powerhouse battle with Holy Cross Friday night on ESPNU. American heads home for its first Patriot League game at Bender Arena, hosting Colgate Saturday afternoon.
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