Despite an impressive showing in the first half of the game, AU's Eagles fell to the No. 3 seeded Villanova University Wildcats, 80-67, in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament.
Mark Bittner, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, said AU's loss came from Villanova taking advantage of AU's fouls and missed shots.
"It was exciting while we were winning," he said, "But they just couldn't take Villanova's pressure."
Other students said they were not too disappointed, despite what would have been an unexpected AU win.
"It would have been nice to actually win ... It would have been an upset, but we didn't," said Sarah Trancik, a freshman in the School of International Service.
Caitlin Aber, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences said that she did not expect the Eagles to win the game, but the game created a different environment at the school.
"This is more school spirit than I've ever seen AU have before," Aber said.
As a result of their win, the Wildcats will head to Boston to face either the University of Southern California or Virginia Commonwealth University, ranked No. 6 and No. 11, respectively.
You can reach these staff writers at news@theeagleonline.com.
Updated March 20 at 2:11 p.m.
