The Eagles traveled up the snow filled coast to West Point, New York to face the United States Military Academy (Army) Black Knights Feb. 22. The last place Black Knights delivered the latest blow to the Eagles season, winning 72-63.
With this loss the Eagles (14-14, 7-9 PL) fall into a three-way tie, with Navy and Loyola, for sixth place in the Patriot League. The United States Naval Academy (Navy) currently holds a higher seed over AU after Jan. 28 64-54 win in Annapolis, Maryland but they met again Feb. 25. While the Eagles have an edge against the Loyola Greyhounds (11-16, 7-9 PL) because AU better overall record although the two split the two-game season series.
In order to attain a top four seed, with only two games left in the season, AU will have to rely on Boston University (12-15, 8-8 PL), Lafayette College (16-11, 8-8 PL) or Lehigh University (15-12, 9-7 PL) to lose remaining games. A top four seed comes with the benefit of a first round bye and Patriot League tournament home game. Anything lower than a sixth seed plays in the first round, and anything lower than a four seed plays on the road.
Senior center Kevin Panzer became the latest AU big man to hit the injured list, sitting out the game with a concussion sustained Feb. 18. Army 6-foot-10 forward Kevin Ferguson bullied the Eagles inside in Panzer’s absence, scoring a game high 23 points.
The Black Knights began the game on a 11-2 run as a result of a pair of 3-pointers and layups. The Eagles we’re able to cut down their deficit to one point 12 minutes into the first half. AU would eventually take their first lead of the game, 23-21 with 5:09 left, off a senior guard John Schoof 3-pointer.
With three minutes till halftime senior guard Darius “Pee-Wee” Gardner collected his second foul of the game was sent to by bench, along with junior center Marko Vasic. In their place, head coach Mike Brennan inserted sophomore guard Jalen Rhea freshman center Gabe Brown. The Black Knights took full advantage of the inexperienced Brown immediately forced two turnovers.
The Eagles we’re still in the lead 29-27 after Pee-Wee’s departure until the Black Knights went on a 9-0 run to close out the half.
AU faced a 36-29 deficit to start the second half. Sophomore guard Charlie Jones began the scoring with a jump shot to put the Eagles five points behind, 36-31. Army would go off on a 11-0 run to take a 16-point lead, their largest of the game, and put the game all but out of reach.
With 1:30 the Eagles cut the Black Knights lead to six points. The rally fell short after a string of successful Army free-throws.
The Eagles finished the second half 12-for-35 (34.3 percent) and 24-for-58 (41.4 percent) overall. Jones led the team with 16 points, going 5-for-10 and pulled down five rebounds. Schoof was limited in shots taken only attempting seven, but precise going 4-for-7 and 4-for-6 beyond the arc.
In final two games of the season the Eagles will return home to face Navy, Feb. 25, and Bucknell, Feb. 28.
jreyes@theeagleonline.com
