2008 Woodie Awards
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Carr carries Eagles to the Big Dance
By Justin Hall on 3/6/08
Web Update
Posted Friday, March 14 at 10:30 p.m.
It may have been 81 years in the making, but the men's basketball team can finally wear Cinderella's glass slipper to the Big Dance as they head to the NCAA Division I tournament for the first time in school history.
Students, alumni and fans of all ages rushed the court to join the team in a wild celebration following an emotional 52-46 victory over the Colgate University Red Raiders today to give the team their first Patriot League tournament title.
Following the game, AU head coach Jeff Jones said he was happy, not only for himself but also for the thousands of people watching the team strive toward the tournament.
"I'm happy for so many people," Jones said. "I could list so many guys who have waited so long and endured a lot of disappointment. It's great to know they can watch on Sunday and feel a sense of pride to be in [the tournament]."
The game, which played out in front of a sellout Bender Arena crowd and a national television audience on ESPN2, started slowly for both squads. Each team scored only six points apiece before the first media timeout.
Junior guard Garrison Carr, the league tournament MVP, would give AU its biggest lead of the first half coming out of the timeout, scoring seven straight points to push the score to 13-6.
The Raiders soon answered with a run of their own, taking the lead for the first time at the 5:53 mark with the score reading 18-17 in Colgate's favor.
The two teams remained neck and neck entering the break, with AU clinging to a 27-24 advantage heading into halftime.
The lead would not last long, as Colgate came into the second half strong, taking hold of the game again at the 14:34 mark with a 30-29 lead.
Back-to-back buckets by Carr and junior guard Nick Hendra put the Eagles back in front 34-30 with 13:33 to go. This would be the last time AU had the lead until late in the game, as Colgate took control, leading 40-39 with six minutes to go in the game.
Posted Friday, March 14 at 10:30 p.m.
It may have been 81 years in the making, but the men's basketball team can finally wear Cinderella's glass slipper to the Big Dance as they head to the NCAA Division I tournament for the first time in school history.
Students, alumni and fans of all ages rushed the court to join the team in a wild celebration following an emotional 52-46 victory over the Colgate University Red Raiders today to give the team their first Patriot League tournament title.
Following the game, AU head coach Jeff Jones said he was happy, not only for himself but also for the thousands of people watching the team strive toward the tournament.
"I'm happy for so many people," Jones said. "I could list so many guys who have waited so long and endured a lot of disappointment. It's great to know they can watch on Sunday and feel a sense of pride to be in [the tournament]."
The game, which played out in front of a sellout Bender Arena crowd and a national television audience on ESPN2, started slowly for both squads. Each team scored only six points apiece before the first media timeout.
Junior guard Garrison Carr, the league tournament MVP, would give AU its biggest lead of the first half coming out of the timeout, scoring seven straight points to push the score to 13-6.
The Raiders soon answered with a run of their own, taking the lead for the first time at the 5:53 mark with the score reading 18-17 in Colgate's favor.
The two teams remained neck and neck entering the break, with AU clinging to a 27-24 advantage heading into halftime.
The lead would not last long, as Colgate came into the second half strong, taking hold of the game again at the 14:34 mark with a 30-29 lead.
Back-to-back buckets by Carr and junior guard Nick Hendra put the Eagles back in front 34-30 with 13:33 to go. This would be the last time AU had the lead until late in the game, as Colgate took control, leading 40-39 with six minutes to go in the game.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Steve Hamrick
posted 3/15/08 @ 1:25 AM EST
My friends and I graduated from AU in the 1980s, and have waited (literally) a quarter of a century for this moment. To Coach Jones and all of the players and staff, THANK YOU!
steven solomon
posted 3/15/08 @ 12:06 PM EST
I AM A PARENT OF AN AMERICAN STUDENT AND I WATCHED THE GAME WITH MY WIFE ON ESPN AND IT WAS GREAT !!!!!
THE TEAM WAS TERRIFIC AND WE LOVED SEEING ALL THE AMERICAN FANS. (Continued…)
Todd Wilkinson
posted 3/16/08 @ 4:44 PM EST
I used to write sports for The Eagle and I remember going to the very first game at Bender Arena and how great it felt to not have to schlep out to "The Fort" anymore. (Continued…)
Grant Lloyd
posted 3/17/08 @ 7:12 PM EST
Bring it on Tennessee! I'll be there to show you AU spirit. You'll never forget AU
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