In a stunning turn of events, Bucknell pulled off a monumental upset at Bender Arena, defeating American University 60-59. The Bison, ranked 334 in the net rankings, entered the game as significant underdogs, but Amon Dörries' impressive performance led the charge against the 241-ranked Eagles. Dörries finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds, outshining American University's top scorer, Geoff Sprouse, who contributed 12 points.
The game got off to a rocky start for Bucknell, as American University took a 29-24 lead into halftime. However, the Bison regrouped and mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, outscoring the Eagles 36-30. Pat Curtin and Achile Spadone provided crucial support for Dörries, with Curtin adding 12 points and 5 rebounds, and Spadone chipping in with 9 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, American University's Kade Sebastian and Greg Jones also had notable performances, with Sebastian scoring 11 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, and Jones posting 10 points and 8 rebounds.
The CHD Scout prediction had American University winning by a comfortable 10.8-point margin, but the actual outcome was far from it. In fact, the Eagles found themselves on the wrong end of a thrilling finish, as Bucknell's late surge secured the one-point victory. This upset win will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, as Bucknell, with a record of 8-16, proved that they can compete with higher-ranked opponents.
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The implications of this result are significant, particularly for American University. As a Quadrant 4 loss, this defeat will likely damage the Eagles' tournament resume, making their path to the postseason even more challenging. On the other hand, Bucknell's victory, although also a Quadrant 4 win, will provide a much-needed boost to their own resume. While the Bison's chances of making the tournament are still slim, this upset win demonstrates that they are capable of pulling off surprises against more highly-regarded opponents.
As the season enters its final stretch, American University must regroup and refocus to salvage their tournament hopes. The Eagles' loss to Bucknell serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of taking every game seriously, regardless of the opponent's ranking. For Bucknell, this upset win will be a valuable confidence booster, and they want to build on this momentum as they navigate the remainder of their schedule. The resume implications of this result are clear: American University's tournament chances have taken a hit, while Bucknell has given themselves a glimmer of hope, albeit a small one, in an otherwise challenging season.