Charles Hinkle bounced back from a rough performance against Bucknell University to score a game-high 25 points in AU’s 76-69 victory over a scrappy Lafayette College squad Feb. 25 at Bender Arena.
Troy Brewer chipped in 13 points and Mike Bersch added a season-high 11 to help the Eagles pick up the win over the Leopards (12-17, 7-7 PL). With the victory, the Eagles (19-10, 10-4 PL) clinched the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament.
“I thought today was important to get some separation between now and Thursday night,” AU Head Coach Jeff Jones said, referring to the loss against Bucknell. “After Bucknell, … we were almost too ready to play. But we were able to relax for enough of the game, and make plays.”
Before the game, the team’s five seniors were honored. Hinkle, Brewer, Riley Grafft, Joe Hill and Simon McCormack were applauded in a Senior Day ceremony prior to tipoff of AU’s final regular season contest at Bender Arena.
AU came out determined to end its regular season on a high note, sprinting out to a quick 7-0 lead. Everything was working for the Eagles in the first half, as they hit from everywhere on the court and controlled the game on both ends.
After building a 29-13 lead, Brewer highlighted the first half with a steal, full-court run and dunk with 3:44 to halftime.
Grafft then scored a reverse layup to put the Eagles up 33-13, and AU headed into halftime with a 36-22 advantage.
But Lafayette rallied and gave a spirited effort in the second half.
Ryan Willen (team-high 16 points and 13 rebounds) helped Lafayette narrow the gap, while his teammates hit a number of big 3-pointers.
Lafayette cut the AU lead to under double digits on multiple occasions late in the second half, but always trailed by at least five points.
The lead the Eagles had built in the first half was too much to overcome, and AU ended the regular season with a 12-1 record at Bender.
The Eagles will host the sixth-seeded Army Black Knights in the Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals Feb. 29.
“Like Lafayette, [Army’s] got guys who can knock down those perimeter shots, but they’re more fast-paced then Lafayette,” Jones said. “The big thing is … keeping their point guards out of the lane. Wednesday’s the day. If we can take care of business, then we’ll worry about the next one.”
The Eagles have defeated the Black Knights in both contests this season.
On Jan. 21, the Eagles earned a 67-55 victory over Army behind 22 points from Brewer. They then traveled to West Point, N.Y., Feb. 18 and notched a 74-50 road win.
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