American University's offense was firing on all cylinders as they took down Army West Point 78-67 at Christl Arena. The Eagles' Julen Iturbe stole the show, scoring 26 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to lead his team to a convincing win. This performance was a key factor in American University's victory, as they built on a strong first half that saw them take a 33-26 lead into the break.
Jacen Holloway was the lone bright spot for Army, scoring 21 points in a losing effort. Despite his best efforts, the Black Knights were unable to keep pace with the Eagles' high-powered offense. American University's Greg Jones and Madden Collins also had strong games, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively, and combining for 14 rebounds.
The game was largely decided in the second half, as American University continued to pull away from Army. The Eagles outscored the Black Knights 45-41 in the final 20 minutes, with Iturbe scoring 14 of his 26 points in the half. Army's Kevin McCarthy and Tate Laczkowski provided some support for Holloway, scoring 12 and 8 points, respectively, but it was not enough to overcome the Eagles' balanced attack.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had American University winning by a razor-thin margin of 0.3 points, but the Eagles had other plans. They dominated the Black Knights from start to finish, winning by a comfortable 11-point margin. This result was a reflection of American University's strength and depth, as they were able to take care of business on the road against a lesser opponent.
The victory improves American University's record to 11-8, while Army falls to 7-12. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, which can be a tricky spot for teams looking to build their tournament resumes. However, American University's win will not hurt their chances, as they were expected to win. For Army, the loss is just another setback in a difficult season.
In terms of tournament implications, this result does not significantly impact American University's chances. They still have work to do to secure a spot in the postseason, but this win keeps them on track. The Eagles' current net ranking of 235 is not bad, but they must continue to win games like this to improve their standing. With this victory, American University takes a small step forward in their pursuit of a tournament bid, and they want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.