Bucknell University’s Mike Muscala and three straight 3-pointers late in the second half ended any hope the AU men’s basketball team had of forcing a three-way tie atop the Patriot League Feb. 23 at Bender Arena.
The reigning Patriot League Player of the Year, Muscala poured in 26 points for Bucknell, who defeated the Eagles 55-50. Muscala finished 9-21 from the field and 8-10 from the foul line to help the Bison (21-8, 11-2 PL) clinch the top spot in the Patriot League Tournament and hand AU its first home loss of the season.
“Mike Muscala; he’s just a really good player,” AU Head Coach Jeff Jones said. “He’s a blue-collar guy [that’s] gotten stronger, tougher and more aggressive.”
While Muscala was a strong presence all game for the Bison, it was three 3-pointers in a 2:18 stretch that propelled Bucknell to victory.
Bryan Cohen, Bryson Johnson and Cameron Ayers all connected from long range for the Bison, pushing their lead to 50-40 with 2:32 to play.
The Eagles (18-10, 9-4 PL) led 40-39 with 7:21 to play in a game that was competitive throughout. Muscala’s jumper put the Bison ahead 41-40 and gave them their first lead in over 30 minutes of game time, before they turned it on from long range
“I think all you had to do was look at their bench,” Jones said. “When you’re able to hit three straight 3-pointers, that’s a shot in the arm.”
Daniel Munoz answered with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 50-43. He then followed Charles Hinkle going 1-2 from the line by hitting two free throws to make it 50-46 with 55 seconds remaining.
After Ayers went 1-2 from the line, Hinkle missed a deep jumper and Muscala blocked Blake Jolivette’s layup to secure the win for Bucknell.
It was a disappointing night for Hinkle, who scored just three points and finished 1-9 from the field. In two games against Bucknell this season, the senior is a combined 5-20.
“They play good team defense,” Hinkle said. “Cohen’s a great defender. They did a great job defending our sets.”
Cohen has been a key four-year player for Bucknell, and is the two-time defending PL Defensive Player of the Year.
After taking an early four-point lead, AU jumped out to a double-digit advantage at 18-8 following 3-pointers from Troy Brewer and Munoz.
Brewer (6-12) finished with 13 points for the Eagles, and Munoz led the way with 15 points and a game-high four assists while playing a strong floor game.
Trailing 20-11 following Hinkle’s only field goal of the game, Bucknell went on an 8-2 run to make it 22-19 with just over three minutes until halftime. AU took a 26-24 lead into the locker room.
For the opening 16 minutes of the second half, neither team held a lead of more than four points. Over that stretch, the game saw two ties and seven lead changes.
The Eagles will return to the court to host Lafayette College for Senior Day Feb. 25. With a win or a Holy Cross loss against Colgate University, AU will clinch the No. 3 seed in the PL Tournament. With an AU loss and a win by Holy Cross, AU will be the No. 4 seed.
ttomea@theeagleonline.com
