Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
American
Bison Men Defeat American in Davis Gymnasium, 61-51
1/22/2001 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2001
LEWISBURG, PA - Junior point guard Bryan Bailey (Hempstead, N.Y./South Side) scored 19 points to lead Bucknell to a 61-51 non-conference victory over American in Davis Gymnasium Monday evening. The win improved Bucknell's overall record to 10-8 and avenged an earlier 60-58 loss this season to the Eagles.
In a defensive oriented first half, the Bison forced 11 American turnovers and connected on seven-of-eight attempts at the free throw line to hold a 22-14 lead at the break. A pair of baskets by sophomore forward Boakai Lalugba (East Orange, N.J./Bishop Francis Essex Catholic) and four free throws by Bailey accounted for an 8-0 run to end the half for the Orange and Blue.
In the second half Bucknell shot 63.2% from the floor and stretched its lead to as much as 14 points on a layup by Brian Werner (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Chaminade) with 12:43 to go. Werner scored five points in the 12-6 Bison lead that pushed the score to 34-20. American (6-12) battled back behind the play of Patrick Doctor and cut the lead to three, 45-42, with 4:41 to go in the game. Doctor had 13 points and seven boards in the second half, and finished with 19 and 10, respectively, to record his first double-double of the season.
The Bison countered with eight straight points, including six from Bailey, to move back in front by 11 at 53-42 with 2:14 remaining. American could get no closer than nine the rest of the way as Bucknell converted on all six of its attempts at the line to close out the victory. Werner finished with 14 points, one shy of his career-high, while Lalugba added 12 markers and a team-high nine rebounds. Forward Brian Williams joined Doctor as the only other Eagle in double-figures with 10 points.
Bucknell will be back in action on Wednesday when it travels to Hamilton, N.Y., to battle Colgate in a Patriot League contest. Tip-off at Cotterell Court is at 7:45 p.m.
