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Sunday, December 23, 2007
American plays giant killer
On a day when the Patriot League's two flagship programs both suffered setbacks, the Eagles sent a message they expect to be reckoned with in conference play by handing Maryland a 67-59 loss.

Using tough defense to hold Maryland to just five field goals (5-24, 20.8 percent) in the first half, the Eagles took a 25-20 lead at the break and never looked back. During one stretch of the half, the Eagles held Maryland without a field goal for a stretch of 10:33.

AU stretched the lead to as many as 12 points in the second half and made 7 of 8 from the free throw line in the final minute after Maryland closed to within 6.

Derrick Mercer led AU with 18 points. Bryce Simon added a career-best 17 and Brian Gilmore finished with 12, going 7 of 8 from the free throw line, 4 for 4 down the stretch.

American's defense held Maryland to 35.8 percent shooting from the field (19-53) and the Eagles outrebounded the Terrapins 40-33.

It was just the second win ever by a Patriot League team over a school from the Atlantic Coast Conference. AU also has the other win, which came against Florida State in 2001. It was the Eagles first win over Maryland since the 1926-27 season, AU's first season of basketball. The Terps had woin 14 in a row over American since then.
Box score | Wash. Post | Wash. Moonie | Baltimore Sun (gamer) | Baltimore Sun (notebook) | Examiner

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Published at 7:08 AM by Hoop Time.
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