Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell, American Meet Saturday for First Time as Patriot League Rivals
1/18/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 18, 2002
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Bucknell and American meet today for the first time as Patriot League rivals. The Eagles are newcomers to the loop in 2001-02 and, like the Bison, have captured two of their first three conference tilts. Bucknell improved to 4-1 at home and 2-0 at home in league play with a 56-53 edging of Army Wednesday night. At the same time, American was falling 57-52 to Lafayette in Bender Arena. "Parity" has been the term of choice in the Patriot League thus far, as four teams enter the weekend at 2-1, with the remaining four at 1-2. Today, all four 2-1 squads square off. The ability to win on the road is what will likely separate the pack. Home teams are 9-3 in league play this season. Bucknell is 1-8 on the road this season and has lost five straight road Patriot League games dating back to last season.
The State of the Bison
Just four days after committing 36 turnovers in a loss at Navy, Bucknell reduced that turnover figure to a manageable 13 in a come-from-behind win over Army. The Bison have twice held serve at home and are now wedged into a four-way tie for first place in the Patriot League standings. Bucknell should receive another boost from the imminent return of all-league guard Bryan Bailey, who has missed the last five games with a knee injury. Bailey listed as questionable for the American game but is hoping to see some limited minutes.
Scouting American
In just its first season as a member of the Patriot League, American (8-8, 2-1) has already proven to be a troublesome foe. Boasting of the league's best win this season, a 77-72 triumph at Florida State (which later defeated top-ranked Duke), the Eagles made an impressive foray into the Patriot League, winning at Colgate's Cotterell Court (76-59) on Jan. 9. AU also topped Army (58-40) at home before falling to Lafayette (57-52) this past Wednesday. Preseason All-Patriot League selection Patrick Doctor has been used as a sixth-man of late, but he still leads the team in scoring (12.1 ppg.) and rebounding (5.4 rpg.). Guard Steven Miles also scores in double figures at 11.8 ppg., and is one of the nation's top free-throw shooters at 90.2%. Miles is a transfer from Coastal Carolina and the 1998 Big South Rookie of the Year. He is one of three transfers to infuse Jeff Jones' program this season, joining forward Nick Boyd (Essex C.C., 8.5 ppg.) and guard Glenn Stokes (Tallahasse C.C., 7.1 ppg.). The Eagles have attempted more 3-pointers (335) than any team in the Patriot League, with Boyd (.412), guard Vladimir Buscaglia (.362), Stokes (.317) and Miles (.303) all willing and able to fire from long range.
Common Opponents
American and Bucknell have faced three common opponents, two in Patriot League play and one nonconference. Both teams paid early-season visits to Saint Francis (Pa.), with American winning 55-52 and Bucknell falling 59-44. In league play, Bucknell has beaten both Lafayette (65-64) and Army (56-53) at home, while the Eagles defeated Army (58-40) and lost to Lafayette (57-52), also both at home.
Series Notes
Bucknell brings a narrow 15-12 series lead into today's tilt, including wins in three of the last four meetings. Prior to a pair of games last season, the two teams had not met since 1983-84, when they were league cohorts in the now-defunct East Coast Conference. No team has ever won more than four straight in this evenly matched series.
Last Year's Bucknell-American Clashes
Despite competing in different leagues, Bucknell and American met twice last season, with each team winning at home. Nov. 29 in Washington, the Eagles erased an early seven-point deficit to score a 60-58 win. Vladimir Buscaglia's two free throws with 40 seconds left to put the Eagles ahead for good. The loss overshadowed a terrific performance from Bucknell's Jake Ramage, who drained 5 of 7 threes and scored 19 points. Bryan Bailey added 14 points and Boakai Lalugba had nine points and 13 rebounds. Ronald Hearns led American with 14 points. In the rematch in Davis Gym on Jan. 17 (see box, right), Bailey's 19 points led Bucknell to a 61-51 win. Bucknell held the Eagles to just 14 points in the first half and shot 63.2% in the second stanza. Lalugba had 12 points and nine rebounds while Brian Werner added 14 points. Patrick Doctor led AU with 19 points and 10 boards.
Second Season Success
No Patriot League team has won more conference games than Bucknell since the start of league play in 1990-91. The Bison carry a 96-47 (.671) league record and have had only two losing seasons in 11 years.
Comeback Kids
Bucknell has led at the half in only one of its six wins this season, and the Bison have trailed by at least six points in five of their victories. Against Cornell and Army, Bucknell erased 10-point halftime deficits.
What a Half!
Perhaps Bucknell's best 20 minutes of basketball came during the second half of Wednesday's 56-53 win over Army. Trailing 28-18 at intermission, the Bison proceeded to make 15 of 20 shots (75.0%) in the second stanza and outscore the Black Knights 38-25. Bucknell committed only four turnovers and got a basket or free-throw opportunity on 21 of 29 second-half possessions.
