Nov. 24, 2007
NEWARK, N.J. - Everybody got into the act for the American University men's basketball team on Saturday. The team's defense forced a season-high 26 points and 11 players scored in a 73-50 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology Saturday at Fleisher Athletic Center.
The Eagles built up a 34-18 halftime lead on the strength of stifling defense and balanced scoring. American forced 16 NJIT turnovers in the opening period, compared to just two for the Eagles, leading to 19 AU points. The Eagles only slightly outshot the Highlanders in the opening period - 44.8 percent to 44.4 percent - but had 11 more shots.
Meanwhile, American got scoring from eight different players, led by Garrison Carr's nine first-half points on three three-pointers. As a team, American hit five-of-10 first-half three-point attempts. Derrick Mercer had eight points in the first period, hitting three-of-five shots, while Frank Borden also hit three-of-five to finish with six points in the earlier epoch.
The second half was much the same. The Eagles forced 17 turnovers, allowing them six more shots, as both teams shot 50 percent in the latter period. As a result, AU outscored NJIT, 39-32, in the second half and cruised to the win.
Four Eagles scored in double-figures, led by Carr's 15 points. Borden, Mercer and Travis Lay each had 10 points. Borden set a career-high, while Mercer added six assists and just one turnover. As a team, AU had just 11 turnovers and has had just 20 turnovers in its last two games.
Frane Markusovic and Steve Luptak each made their American debuts on Saturday. Markusovic hit a pair of free throws in three minutes to finish with two points and Luptak had a rebound in five minutes of action.
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The Highlanders, who fall to 0-5, were led by Dan Stonkus' 15 points.
American, which moves to 3-3 overall with the win, continues its three-game road swing with a trip to Emmitsburg, Md., on Monday, Nov. 26, to face Mount St. Mary's. Game time is 7 p.m. The game will be available as a special On the Road edition of Eagles All*Access, with Mike Vaillancourt providing the play-by-play and Andrew Bashuk providing the color commentary. Click here for more information or to subscribe.
