American University vs. Randolph-Macon College

      American University Coach Jeff Jones maintained his poise following  the loss of his squad's first exhibition contest of the season last night at home against the Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets. 

     “It’s early in the season and we know we have a lot of work to do,” Jones said of the young Eagle team who lost despite a thirteen and a half minute scoreless stretch by their opponents in the first half.  At the break, American went into the locker room with an 18-12 advantage.

     The second half saw more offensive production, but proved just as sloppy as the first.  Both teams traded baskets before American took a six point lead early on.  Macon would respond pulling ahead by one halfway through the second.  Afterwards, neither team trailed by more than two points.  In the final ten minutes of the contest, there were nine lead changes.  With a minute remaining, American Sophomore Stephen Lumpkins scored and was fouled, converting on the free throw attempt and putting the Eagles up by two.  On the next possession, Randolph-Macon's Danny Jones was fouled and sank both shots to tie the game. American once again answered with a Nick Hendra layup that was countered by a short jumper by Macon's David Carlson to knot the game at 47.

     With 33 seconds left, Coach Jones called a timeout to set up a final play for last year's leading scorer Nick Hendra.  The play, designed to get Hendra open for a jumper in the corner was contested by a Macon defender and fell well short of the basket.  Randolph-Macon's Eric Pugh grabbed Hendra's miss and raced coast-to-coast making a layup as time expired, putting the Yellow Jackets up 49-47. 

       Although it was an ugly contest on both sides, there were some bright spots for AU.  Sophomore Stephen Lumpkins stepped up and showed Coach Jones who his go-to guy would be this season.  Lumpkins led all scorers with 18 points and converted seven of 11 field goals.  Although he was unable to convert the game winning field goal, Junior Nick Hendra also contributed, scoring 12 and pulling down seven rebounds.   Big man Riley Grafft pulled down seven boards as well, but he looked weak against Macon's post players.

      It is evident that American will experience some major growing pains as they face much tougher opponents than their Division III foes last night.  If Coach Jones can get the rest of his squad to mesh with Lumpkins and Hendra and cut down on their youthful mistakes, there might be hope yet for the Eagles. 

     "Hopefully we can build on the good stuff, recognize it, and learn from the mistakes we made to become a better basketball team," Jones said.