The AU men’s basketball team improved their Patriot League record 6-0 after defeating Lafayette 66-61 on Jan. 18 at Bender Arena despite inconsistent offensive shooting.
The Eagles (10-7, 6-0) came into this matchup ranked seventh in the nation for field goal shooting with 49.9 percent from the field. However, Lafayette (4-13, 0-6) proved to be the more efficient scoring offense in the game, shooting 51.1 percent on field goals to AU’s 45.1 percent.
“[Lafayette] is a good offensive team,” Eagles coach Mike Brennan said. “They spread the ball well and were able to convert most of their shots. We we’re fortunate enough to make some big plays down the stretch and pull out the win.”
Neither team found a way to ride their momentum for long, as the score stayed close throughout with AU and Lafayette scoring 37 and 33 in the first half and 29 and 28 in the second, respectively.
A large component to the Eagles’ victory was their ability to contain Lafayette junior center Dan Trist, who is known to be dangerous near the rim, to 12 points and four rebounds.
“We tried to stay between him and the basketball and force him to take tough shots,” senior center Tony Wroblicky said.
Despite going 6-26 for three-pointers, the Eagles were able to make big plays when it mattered.
Darius Gardner led the Eagles in nearly every statistical category, totaling 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.
“Whenever a play needs to be made, he ends up making it,” Brennan said of Gardner.
With two minutes left in the game, Lafayette’s freshman guard Nick Lindner put the Leopards ahead, 61-59, with a layup. 21 seconds later, AU’s Gardner made a crucial three-pointer to give the Eagles a lead they would not surrender.
The Eagles ran out the clock after Gardner’s’ three, while hitting two free throws and a layup to secure a 66-61 victory.
Other Eagle standouts include Tony Wroblicky who went 5-7 from the field, totaling 11 points, two blocks and collecting five rebounds. Jesse Reed went 4-9 on field goals, accumulating 11 points, two assists and two steals. John Schoof scored 15-plus points for the third game in a row with 16 against the Leopards, while adding three assists and a steal.
The Eagles will look to return to their efficient shooting form next week as they take on high-scoring Boston University, who entered Saturday as the only other undefeated team in Patriot League along with AU.
“We need to contain the ball better against Boston,” Gardner said. “We can’t give up as many turnovers as we did today. And we need to start hitting our three’s and taking smarter shots as well as forcing teams to take more difficult looks at the basket.”
Boston University will play AU in Bender Arena on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
