Nov 14, 2006

AU Men's Basketball Blows by Morgan State in Home Opener, 97-84

Nov. 14, 2006

WASHINGTON - Andre Ingram (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) scored 24 points, tallied six assists and grabbed six rebounds, while Derrick Mercer (Jersey City, N.J./St. Anthony's) registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists in the Eagles' 97-84 victory over Morgan State Tuesday in Bender Arena.

American had a 50-40 lead at halftime and came out with the momentum scoring 15 points just over five minutes into the second half. With Ingram sinking three from downtown in the second and going 5-7 in the night, the Bears had no chance to recover from the Eagles' 19 point lead.

After gaining the lead 1:14 into the game, American University took it from there and led the rest of the way. With Mercer's quick crossovers and no-look passes, Ingram's "nothing but net" shooting and a Brayden Billbe (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island) dunk, Eagles' fans had all the reason to remain on their feet throughout the game.

Along with Ingram and Mercer, two other Eagles' players scored in double-digits with Billbe recording 16 and Garrison Carr (Bellevue, Wash./Issaquah) tallying 15 points.

With his 24 points, Ingram moved up to 19th all-time at American in career scoring. This game also marked the first time since the 2003-04 season the Eagles reached 90 points, last doing it in their 90-82 win at Lafayette. Before tonight's game, this same season marked the last time AU hit 50 points in the first half in its 83-69 victory over Radford and the last time American opened its season with two wins. The 2003-04 season proved to be successful as the Eagles went 18-13 overall and 10-4 in the Patriot League, eventually making to the Patriot League Championship Game.

American University shot 58.6% in field goals, 61.1% in three pointers and 75.0% from the free-throw line, dominating over Morgan State in each of these areas.

AU is now 2-0 on the season and returns to action on Friday when they travel to Richmond for a 7 p.m. game. If you can't be in the stands, be sure to tune in to AUEagles.com or 1260 AM for a live broadcast of the game.