WASHINGTON — In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, Matt Rogers led the American Eagles to an 81-77 win against the Colgate Raiders with a standout performance, scoring 26 points.
Rogers further bolstered his team by grabbing eight rebounds, reinforcing his pivotal role in the match for the Eagles, who now hold a 12-9 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the Patriot League.
Contributing to the Eagles’ success, Greg Jones added 18 points, shooting 5 of 9 from the field, which included a commendable 3 of 4 from behind the arc, and he converted 5 of 6 free-throw attempts, along with securing five rebounds.
Elijah Stephens also played a significant role by scoring 15 points, going 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line.

On the opposite side, the Raiders, now 9-12 overall and also 6-2 in the conference, were led by Jeff Woodward, who delivered an impressive performance, tallying 25 points and 11 rebounds, in addition to recording two blocks.
Chandler Baker contributed 13 points for Colgate, while Kyle Carlesimo rounded out the scoring with 12 points.
This defeat ended a five-game winning streak for the Raiders, showcasing a significant shift in momentum.

Rogers made a notable impact early on, scoring 11 points in the first half, yet American found themselves trailing 39-37 at halftime.
However, his 15-point explosion in the second half was crucial in helping the Eagles secure a narrow victory in the contest.
Overall, the match highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead in the Patriot League.