Derrick Mercer scored a season-high 20 points and American University defeated Lafayette 78-56 win in the first round of the Patriot League tournament on Wednesday night. Mercer was presented with the Patriot League Player of the Year trophy before the game, and scored 14 of his points in the first half. American never trailed in the game. Garrison Carr scored 19 and Brian Gilmore had 17 for the Eagles (22-7). American has won 11 straight games and 17 of 18. The top-seeded Eagles have not lost in the opening-round in their eight seasons as members of the Patriot League, and will face Army in the semifinals on Sunday. Andrew Brown scored 14 points and Jeff Kari had 13 for Lafayette (8-22). American led 41-30 at halftime and blew open the game with a 13-0 run to start the second half, holding Lafayette scoreless for nearly seven minutes.
