American Snaps Five Game Losing Streak Against Army

By: Ethan Hennessy

Washington DC

American and Army both entered Saturday’s game in Washington DC looking to right the ship. American had lost five straight games including two at the buzzer. Army meanwhile, lost three straight games and found themselves in last place in the tightly contested Patriot League standings. American overcame an early eight-point Army lead to take a nine-point lead of their own at the seven minute mark in the first half. Army used a pair of conner three pointers from Ryan Curry and Jackson Furman to reduce the American lead to six.

In the second half Army struggled to maintain control of the ball turning it over four times in a two and a half minute stretch from around 15:30 to 13:00. American presented Army with full court pressure for most of the second half and the Black Knights had trouble advancing the ball. On one possession they were forced to use a timeout and on another they got it across with a second remaining.  

Army continued to battle despite digging themselves in a large hole on the scoreboard early in the second half, but they could never get back within striking distance of the Eagles. The final nail in the coffin came when starting point guard Ryan Curry fouled out with 4:39 to go after receiving a technical foul. American coach Duane Simpkins said that his team did a good job locating and keeping a hand up on Ryan Curry who had an uncharacteristically low three points on the afternoon.  American won by a score of 75-63 snapping their 5 game losing streak. Madden Collins led the way for the Eagles with 22 points. American shot 53% from the field for the game while holding Army to under 39%. Up next both teams will play on the road. American will be at Bucknell on Wednesday while Army will head up to Baltimore to face Loyola.