Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
6-11, 2-2PL
American
9-8, 3-1PL
Men's Basketball Falls To American, 69-52
1/19/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan 19, 2002
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Glenn Stokes scored all 18 of his points in the second half to lead the hot-shooting American Eagles past Bucknell 69-52 in a Patriot League men's basketball contest Saturday afternoon at Bender Arena.
Boakai Lalugba led Bucknell (6-11, 2-2) with 19 points and nine rebounds and Dan Blankenship equaled his career high with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting, but the Bison missed several open looks in the paint just as American (9-8, 3-1) was heating up.
Led by the torrid outside shooting of Stokes and Vladimir Buscaglia, American shot 62.1 percent (18-29) from the floor in the second half, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range. The Bison trailed 25-22 at the half and was down by only a pair two-and-a-half minutes into the second stanza when Buscaglia drained a trey to ignite a decisive 17-3 Eagle run. Stokes, who missed his only shot in the first half, exploded for 12 points during the surge, including a pair of dagger-inducing bombs from the right corner to make it 47-31 with 12:23 to play.
Bucknell could get no closer than nine the rest of the way. A quick 7-0 spurt cut it to 47-38 at the 10-minute mark, but reserve forward Brian Williams answered with a jumper and three-point play to push the lead back into double figures for the remainder of the contest.
The Bison led by as many as four points in a first half that featured four ties and four lead changes. American used a 13-4 run to take a 21-15 lead with 5:44 to play in the half, but the Bison used solid defense to stay close despite missing 13 of its final 15 shots of the period.
Bucknell held a 32-31 rebounding edge and allowed only three offensive rebounds all day. The Bison committed only 12 turnovers compared to 15 for American, but the Orange and Blue shot only 32.8 percent from the floor. Starters Brian Werner (0-for-7) and Chris Rodgers (1-for-13) especially struggled as Bucknell made only 3 of 14 3-point attempts.
Stokes and Patrick Doctor (15 points) both made 7 of 9 field-goal attempts and were joined by reserves Buscaglia (14) and Williams (10) in double figures.
Now 1-9 in enemy arenas, the Bison have another road league contest Wednesday night at Colgate. Tipof is slated for 7:45 p.m.
