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Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Furious comeback lifts AU
Trailing by as many as 18 in the first half, American turned up the defense and turned out a win over visiting St. Francis (Pa.).

The first half was a horror show for AU. The Red Flash shot 52 percent (13 of 25) from the field, including a sizzling 8 of 10 from the three-point arc. St. Francis was up 40-22 with 3:55 to go in the half after J.R. Enright hit three consecutive treys.

American battled back to get within 11 (44-33) at the break, then held St. Francis scoreless for over six minutes to start the second half. American finally got even, and too the lead, on a pair of free throws by Arvydas Eitutavicius with 8 minutes to play. American pulled away from there.

The Eagles held St. Francis to 6 of 28 shooting from the field in the second half. Five of St. Francis' buckets came on three-pointers (5 of 15). From inside the arc, the Red Flash were just 1 of 13 in the second half.

American also turned things around on the boards in the second half. After St. Francis won the rebounding battle 23-12 in the first half, AU outrebounded the Red Flash 25-13 in the second.

Eitutavicius led AU with 20 points. Andre Ingram added 13, Travis Lay 13 and Derrick Mercer had 11, along with 6 assists and just one turnover. Jordan Nichols grabbed 10 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

St. Francis coach Bobby Jones took ill during the game and was taken to a hospital after for observation. SF SID Bob Volkert reported Jones experienced "stroke-like symptoms." Jones became ill during the first half and had elevated blood pressure when doctors checked him at the intermission. Jones spent part of the second half in the locker room before returning to the bench for the remainder of the game.

American opens conference play Saturday at Lehigh.
Box score | AP

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Published at 7:11 AM by Hoop Time.
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