Gallery
LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI basketball team rallied from a 13-point second half deficit to pull within six late, but American University hung on for a 77-69 victory Saturday in non-conference play from Cameron Hall.
Junior guard
Brennan Watkins scored a game-high 20 points for the Keydets, his fifth game of 20 points or more this season and second-straight with exactly 20.
How it happened:
*American opened the game with an 11-0 run, but the Keydets chipped away and used a 9-0 spurt later in the half to go into intermission behind just 36-30
*Watkins started the second half out hot, netting VMI's first seven points and the Keydets opened a 42-41 lead after a
Devin Butler three-pointer at the 13:05 mark
*The contest was tied 47 all with 10 minutes to play and the Eagles took control of the game with a 14-1 surge over the next five minutes
VMI Head Coach Andrew Wilson
"The corps was great today and gave us a tremendous lift as we had to battle back from an early deficit.I'm very proud of the guys for our fight & resolve.We will stick together as a group, continue to battle, & our time will come."
Inside the box score:
*Watkins hit three three pointers and had 18 of his points in the second half
*
Stephen Olowoniyi compiled 11 points, just one short of his season best, and six rebounds in just 18 minutes of playing time
*
Taeshaud Jackson II netted eight points and added six rebounds and three assists
*
Tyran Cook had nine points while
DJ Nussbaum and
Maurice Wright, Jr. each posted six points
*Matt Rogers had a team-high 19 points for American (5-6), while Elijah Stephens scored 18
Next Time:
*VMI travels to Radford University Tuesday for a non-conference game at 7 p.m.
