Elijah Saunders scores 21, makes clutch free throws in Virginia's 63-58 win over American
American Eagles vs. Virginia Cavaliers: Game Highlights
American Eagles vs. Virginia Cavaliers: Game Highlights
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- — Elijah Saunders scored 21 points and made five of six free throws in the final half-minute to lead Virginia to a 63-58 victory over American University on Sunday.
Virginia led 32-28 at halftime and struggled to hold the lead in the second half. American hit five 3-pointers in the first 12 minutes of the second half and went ahead 47-42.
Virginia allowed only one made field goal in the next 7 minutes while building a 56-51 lead on Taine Murray's 3-pointer with 1:48 remaining.
Saunders made two free throws with 24 seconds left and one of two with 16 seconds to go for a 59-53 lead.
Matt Mayock finally hit a 3-pointer to snap the Eagles' 0-for-6 shooting skid and American was within 59-56. Saunders made two more free throws for a five-point margin with nine seconds remaining.
Saunders was 7-for-9 from the floor and 7-for-8 from the line. He grabbed eight rebounds. Murray had 13 points and made 3 of 4 3-pointers. Isaac McKneely added 11 points for the Cavaliers (7-5).
Mayock scored 16 points and made 4 of 5 3-pointers for American (6-6). Matt Rogers and Colin Smalls each scored 12.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Roger Ayers
- Justin Porterfield
- Joe Switzer
2024-25 Patriot League Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate | 6-1 | - | 9-11 |
| Army | 4-2 | 1.5 | 10-8 |
| American University | 4-2 | 1.5 | 10-9 |
| Bucknell | 4-3 | 2 | 8-12 |
| Boston University | 3-3 | 2.5 | 9-10 |
| Loyola Maryland | 3-3 | 2.5 | 8-9 |
| Holy Cross | 2-4 | 3.5 | 10-9 |
| Lafayette | 2-4 | 3.5 | 7-12 |
| Navy | 2-4 | 3.5 | 5-14 |
| Lehigh | 1-5 | 4.5 | 6-11 |
2024-25 Atlantic Coast Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 8-0 | - | 16-2 |
| Louisville | 8-1 | 0.5 | 15-5 |
| Clemson | 7-1 | 1 | 15-4 |
| Wake Forest | 7-1 | 1 | 15-4 |
| SMU | 5-3 | 3 | 14-5 |
| North Carolina | 5-3 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Florida State | 4-3 | 3.5 | 13-5 |
| Stanford | 4-3 | 3.5 | 12-6 |
| Pittsburgh | 3-4 | 4.5 | 12-6 |
| Syracuse | 3-4 | 4.5 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 3-4 | 4.5 | 8-10 |
| California | 2-5 | 5.5 | 9-9 |
| NC State | 2-5 | 5.5 | 9-9 |
| Notre Dame | 2-5 | 5.5 | 8-10 |
| Virginia | 2-6 | 6 | 9-10 |
| Georgia Tech | 2-6 | 6 | 8-11 |
| Boston College | 1-7 | 7 | 9-10 |
| Miami | 0-7 | 7.5 | 4-14 |
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