Jan. 29, 2011
Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Lafayette cut an American lead that was large as 17 points in the second half to nine with a minute left in the game on a Jim Mower three-pointer, but that was as close as the differential would get in a 73-60 final on Saturday.
Three Leopards scored in double digits with senior Jared Mintz leading the way with 12 points while Ryan Willen and Mower chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Lafayette (8-14) ends the first round of Patriot League at 3-4 in a conference that has little separation between first and eighth place.
American's Vlad Moldoveanu had 17 points including nine of the first 14 points on three three-pointers in the opening five minutes. American led from start to finish, including 37-23 at halftime. Lafayette shot 36 percent from the floor compared o 54 percent for American in the first half.
After intermission, American's Stephen Lumpkins went to work, scoring 14 of his game-high 21 points. He finished 8-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the line.
With American (15-7, 5-2) seemingly in control midway through the second half, the Leopards began to make some noise. Willen banked in a three from the wing to make it 53-41 with 8:26 left. The Leopards cut the margin to 11 seven more times.
Tony Johnson's spinning layup brought the Leopards to 62-51 with four minutes left. The Leopards drew a charge on the ensuing possession, but couldn't capitalize when a 10-foooter by Johnson wouldn't fall and Mintz's putback attempt met the same end.
Lafayette finally sliced the lead to nine (69-60) with a minute left when Mower drained a three-pointer. The Leopards got the ball back after Levi Giese blocked a layup at the other end. Johnson worked the ball to Rob Delaney in the halfcourt set, and his three-ball was all but through before the rim cruelly spit it out with 47 seconds left.
Four American free throws quelled the rally and ended the game, handing the Leopards their 13th straight setback against the Eagles. American shot 79 percent (15-of-19) from the line for the game while Lafayette hit 70 percent (14-of-20). The Leopards were out-rebounded 35-26.
Lafayette will return to action on Feb. 5, hosting Holy Cross on Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.
