WASHINGTON, D.C. - A last-second driving layup by Caleb Williams helped Lafayette overtake American, 67-65, on Saturday at Bender Arena, where the Eagles entered with a 10-2 home record.

Junior Andrew Phillips commanded Lafayette with a season-high 23 points, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and 9-of-12 from the floor. He made a game-high four steals while freshman Christian Humphrey-Rembert grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Lafayette outscored the hosts 40-33 in the second half and finished the game shooting 43 percent from the floor.

The Eagles secured an opening 13-6 lead, going 3-for-3 beyond the arc by 15:46. American's Geoff Sprouse contributed two of them.

Phillips' 3-pointer capped an 8-2 spurt for Lafayette, closing the gap to one, 15-14 by 12:07.

American resumed its offensive barrage, using five scorers to remain out front 29-22 through the two-minute mark. Wyatt Nausadis and Dean Hogans each put up four points in the spurt, as the hosts went 6-for-15 from the floor.

Ryan Pettit and Phillips made each of their attempts thereafter, but the Eagles keeping a 32-27 advantage at halftime.

Phillips scored 10 points in the first four minutes of the second half, cutting  the deficit to 39-38 at 15:54.

The Leopards found their offensive rhythm by the 11-minute mark, headed by Phillips' fourth 3-pointer of the day to gain the lead, 46-41.

Over the next three minutes, American's Greg Jones retaliated with four points to keep the hosts in contention, 52-49 (7:22).

Jones then fouled out at 6:12, allowing Lafayette's Shareef Jackson one made free throw to keep the Leopards up 53-49.

Williams and Mark Butler combatted the following Eagle buckets with a combined five points, staying just a hair ahead, 58-53, at 3:39.

By the one-minute mark, American's Matt Mayock paced a 10-5 edge to knot  the game 63-63.

Williams secured a go-ahead driving layup, leaving 38 seconds on the clock. The hosts found a match just 15 seconds later, 65-65.

After a quick timeout for head coach Mike McGarvey to call a play, Williams solely fought his way to the basket for a 67-65 finish as the buzzer sounded.

In total, the Eagles had four players in double figures and posted 23 bench points compared to Lafayette's three. Julen Iturbe cleared an Eagle-high 12 points and six rebounds.

Ten of Lafayette's 15-man roster saw game action to improve to 4-6 in Patriot League play.

The Leopards return to Kirby Sports Center on Wednesday, hosting Navy at 7 p.m.


For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.