American hosted their first Patriot League Tournament home game since 2014. It was a short stay. The Eagles fell to the Mids, 60-56.
The Eagles couldn’t have scripted a worst start only making two of their first nine shots and falling behind by 7 early. Navy’s zone would give the Eagles fits.
Not only did the Eagles struggle with their outside shots but even when they penetrated to the rim, the shots wouldn’t fall. The Eagles would finish the half shooting 27.6%. Sa’eed Nelson led the team in scoring with 8 points. The Eagles would climb back to within one with 4:14 left in the half but Navy would close the half with a 27-23 lead.
The Eagles would cut the gap to two several times in the second half but couldn’t get over the hump. The Mids put the game away with a 5-0 run late. With 3:20 left, Nelson would hit two free throws to bring American to within two at 49-47.
Navy would respond with a three pointer by George Kiernan followed by a Hasan Abdullah layup to push the lead back to seven. American wouldn’t get closer than five after that.
Notes:
- Nelson finished with 29 points – “Been more wins than my first two seasons here” – American point guard Sa’eed Nelson
- American finished 7-35 from the 3 point line – “I thought we missed a ton of outside shots” – American Head Coach Mike Brennan
- Navy’s Evan Wieck finished with 18 points in 27 minutes. – “They were hard hedging. That gives me an opportunity to get open for a second. I just sealed my guy and went to work” – Evan Wieck
