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Tuesday, December 13, 2005
(Originally posted 12:43 a.m., Updated 8:23 a.m.)
That's right, it's a sweep. And about time, too.
Our crackerjack research department did a quick check, and best we can tell, the last time more than no Patriot League team lost on a night when at least two were in non-conference action was over two years ago.
At least that is how far back you have to go to find league teams batting 1.000 against Division I foes.
If you count games with Division 3 opponents, then you only need go back as far as Dec. 22 of last year, when Bucknell beat Niagara and Lafayette downed Moravian.
Lehigh and Lafayette also swept a pair from two D3s on Dec. 17, 2003 (Lafayette over Lycoming, Lehigh over Delaware Valley).
But to find the last night when the league went 2-0 against real opponents, you'd need to go back to Dec. 8, 2003, the night Lehigh won 60-57 at Columbia and America won 57-53 at Howard.
Must be something to do with Howard, because the Bison were on the short end against AU again last night. Coupled with Lehigh's win over visiting Monmouth, it sends the league into finals on a high note.
American 72, Howard 60 -- Those crazy AU kids up to their second half shenanigans again. Through eight games so far, AU has scored more points in the second half five times. They were also even once, scoring 41 each half in the opener at Washington. In those eight games, AU is averaging better than 8 points more in the second half of games than the first.
This time it was a 9-0 run at the start of the second half that gave the Eagles the lead after they went to the break down 2.
In the win against Towson Saturday, American's strong second half came from the offense. The Eagles shot 50 percent after the intermission in that one, even better from the arc.
Against Howard it was the defense that was different in the second half. After letting Howard shoot 51.9 percent the first 20 minutes, AU locked down on defense and held the Bison to 18.5 percent (5-27) in the second.
That was not all that was different. One game after erupting for 6 treys and 25 points against Towson, AU freshman Garrison Carr was held to 4 points on a 1-for-7 effort from the floor. He was 0-4 from 3-point range.
The battle of the vertically challenged went to American frosh Derrick Mercer, though certainly not be knockout. The 5-9 (or so they say) Mercer was 1-1 and made a free throw to finish with 3 points while turning it over 5 times and dishing 4 assists. Not a lot, but better than Howard's 5-6 senior Louis Ford, who wore an 0-7 collar with 3 assists, 2 turnovers and 3 steals.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post it was the first time in his college career that Ford has gone scoreless.
Andre Ingram looks like he has broken out of the little slump he was in, building on his strong second half against Towson with a 7-14, 21 point showing. Brayden Billbe in double figures again with 14.
It's win number three in a row for the Eagles, all at home. They started the season with six games away from Bender, all losses.
Another nugget from the :
Lehigh 71, Monmouth 57 -- Jose Olivero with a 10-assist, 14-point double-double to lead Lehigh. It is the first time this season the Mountain Hawks have won two straight.
Lehigh shot 50 percent from the field, but defense was the key. Monmouth shot just 38 percent from the field, the sixth time in seven games, Lehigh held an opponent to 38 percent or less.
Bryan White was 9-13 for a team-high 18 points for Lehigh. Kyle Neptune added 16.
The reports it was an ugly affair, with the two teams combining for 45 turnovers, 25 of those by Monmouth. Apparently the Lehigh Valley papers couldn't be bothered to cover this one, so you will have to be content with that visiting team story.
That's right, it's a sweep. And about time, too.
Our crackerjack research department did a quick check, and best we can tell, the last time more than no Patriot League team lost on a night when at least two were in non-conference action was over two years ago.
At least that is how far back you have to go to find league teams batting 1.000 against Division I foes.
If you count games with Division 3 opponents, then you only need go back as far as Dec. 22 of last year, when Bucknell beat Niagara and Lafayette downed Moravian.
Lehigh and Lafayette also swept a pair from two D3s on Dec. 17, 2003 (Lafayette over Lycoming, Lehigh over Delaware Valley).
But to find the last night when the league went 2-0 against real opponents, you'd need to go back to Dec. 8, 2003, the night Lehigh won 60-57 at Columbia and America won 57-53 at Howard.
Must be something to do with Howard, because the Bison were on the short end against AU again last night. Coupled with Lehigh's win over visiting Monmouth, it sends the league into finals on a high note.
American 72, Howard 60 -- Those crazy AU kids up to their second half shenanigans again. Through eight games so far, AU has scored more points in the second half five times. They were also even once, scoring 41 each half in the opener at Washington. In those eight games, AU is averaging better than 8 points more in the second half of games than the first.
This time it was a 9-0 run at the start of the second half that gave the Eagles the lead after they went to the break down 2.
In the win against Towson Saturday, American's strong second half came from the offense. The Eagles shot 50 percent after the intermission in that one, even better from the arc.
Against Howard it was the defense that was different in the second half. After letting Howard shoot 51.9 percent the first 20 minutes, AU locked down on defense and held the Bison to 18.5 percent (5-27) in the second.
That was not all that was different. One game after erupting for 6 treys and 25 points against Towson, AU freshman Garrison Carr was held to 4 points on a 1-for-7 effort from the floor. He was 0-4 from 3-point range.
The battle of the vertically challenged went to American frosh Derrick Mercer, though certainly not be knockout. The 5-9 (or so they say) Mercer was 1-1 and made a free throw to finish with 3 points while turning it over 5 times and dishing 4 assists. Not a lot, but better than Howard's 5-6 senior Louis Ford, who wore an 0-7 collar with 3 assists, 2 turnovers and 3 steals.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post it was the first time in his college career that Ford has gone scoreless.
Andre Ingram looks like he has broken out of the little slump he was in, building on his strong second half against Towson with a 7-14, 21 point showing. Brayden Billbe in double figures again with 14.
It's win number three in a row for the Eagles, all at home. They started the season with six games away from Bender, all losses.
Another nugget from the :
The reasons for American's turnaround are many, and a more forgiving schedule is certainly one of them. The Eagles, who don't use any seniors in their regular rotation, began the year with one of the nastiest opening stretches in the nation. Only 20 Division I teams were undefeated before last night, and American had lost to three of them. Their first six games -- all losses away from Bender Arena -- came against opponents that are a combined 32-5.The Eagles return to action Dec. 23 at Maryland.
Lehigh 71, Monmouth 57 -- Jose Olivero with a 10-assist, 14-point double-double to lead Lehigh. It is the first time this season the Mountain Hawks have won two straight.
Lehigh shot 50 percent from the field, but defense was the key. Monmouth shot just 38 percent from the field, the sixth time in seven games, Lehigh held an opponent to 38 percent or less.
Bryan White was 9-13 for a team-high 18 points for Lehigh. Kyle Neptune added 16.
The reports it was an ugly affair, with the two teams combining for 45 turnovers, 25 of those by Monmouth. Apparently the Lehigh Valley papers couldn't be bothered to cover this one, so you will have to be content with that visiting team story.
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