The men’s basketball team fell 67-48 to the University of Florida Gators in the BB&T Classic at Verizon Center Sunday.
It was the team’s third straight loss.
“It’s hard to have a chance against a very good Florida team when you make many mental errors, as we did,” Coach Jeff Jones said. “For us to have any chance we have to beat a team like Florida, we have to be near perfect.”
Eagles Guard Troy Brewer led the Eagles in scoring with 17 points. Vlad Moldoveanu also contributed 14 points and one block. Stephen Lumpkins scored eight. Nick Hendra scored all nine of his points in the second half.
“Vlad is obviously a very difficult guy to guard,” Florida Head Coach Billy Donovan said. “I like Lumpkins at the center spot. I think Brewer gives them some scoring and perimeter play.”
The Gators shot 49 percent from the field and 84.6 percent from the free throw line.
“We leave this game frustrated,” Jones said. “We can be better and we should be better.”
The Gators extended their lead to 37-21 early in the second half. The Gators continued to dominate the Eagles inside, even though the Eagles were only out-rebounded 29-28 overall. The Eagles pulled within 8 points with about seven minutes left in the game. However Florida pulled away and finished the game with a 14-4 run and won by 19.
“I thought one of the things,” said Donovan. “I thought American had to face some adversity when they were down by 16 early in the second half and give them credit they got it all the way to eight.”
The Eagles could not get anything going offensively. The Eagles spent most of the game trying to escape the Gators full court press which accounted for 17 Eagle turnovers. This combined with the Eagles shooting 19-44 for the game made it very difficult to catch up with Florida.
The Eagles' last three losses have been to top national teams. In the last three games the Eagles have lost to two teams that have made the Final Four in the last four years. West Virginia played in the semifinals of the most recent NCAA championship, while Florida won back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. The other loss came on a buzzer beater against Columbia University.
Despite the losing streak, the Eagles were still leading the Patriot League standings entering the game against Florida.
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