The air inside UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, was basically vibrating on March 19, 2025. You could feel it. It wasn't just another game between two mid-majors trying to get a sniff of the "real" bracket. This was American vs St. Mary's, a clash between two programs that—honestly—mirror each other in more ways than their fanbases probably care to admit.
By the end of the night, the scoreboard read 83-72 in favor of the Mountaineers. But the numbers don't tell the whole story.
If you were watching on truTV, you saw a nightmare scenario for American University. They were the No. 16 seed with dreams of finally winning their first-ever NCAA Tournament game. Instead, they watched their star, Matt Rogers, limp off the floor. Twice. It was brutal.
The Night the Paint Belonged to the Mountaineers
When we look back at American vs St. Mary's, the deciding factor wasn't some complex defensive scheme or a revolutionary coaching move. It was sheer, unadulterated size. Mount St. Mary's decided early on that the paint was their property.
They outscored the Eagles 40-22 inside.
Jedy Cordilia and Dola Adebayo were essentially a two-man wrecking crew. They combined for 44 points. They didn't just score; they were efficient, shooting 19-of-26 from the floor. That’s nearly 73%. In a high-stakes tournament game, those are video game numbers.
AU's Geoff Sprouse tried to keep the Eagles alive. He was unconscious from deep, hitting six three-pointers. At one point, he sparked an 8-0 run that actually gave American an 18-15 lead. For a second there, you could almost believe the drought was over.
Then the injuries happened.
The Matt Rogers Factor
Let's be real: Matt Rogers is the heart of American's offense. When he went down with a knee injury at the 16:40 mark in the first half, the vibe changed instantly. He came back, sure. He even hit a wing three to cut the lead to one. But he went down again at the 5:28 mark.
That was it. He didn't return.
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Watching a senior's career end on the bench in a suit is never fun. Without him, the Eagles' defensive rotation crumbled. The Mount smelled blood and went on a 12-4 run to close the half up by ten.
Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we're still talking about a 16-seed First Four game a year later. It's because the American vs St. Mary's rivalry represents a specific kind of D.C.-area basketball tension.
These schools are barely 70 miles apart.
They recruit the same kids. They play in the same gyms in July. They’ve played 18 times since 2005. Before that tournament game, American actually held a four-game winning streak in the series. They hadn't lost to the Mount since 2018.
The Mountaineers didn't just win a game; they broke a psychological hex.
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A Tale of Two Philosophies
- American University: Under Duane Simpkins, the Eagles have leaned into a high-IQ, perimeter-heavy game. They want to spread you out. They want Sprouse and Elijah Stephens to pick you apart with 15-footers and kick-outs.
- Mount St. Mary's: Coach Dan Engelstad (and now the current staff) prioritizes "The Mount" identity. It’s grit. It’s interior dominance. It’s making the game ugly until the opponent quits.
In 2025, grit won.
Breaking Down the Stats (The Ugly Truth)
People love to talk about "momentum," but let's look at the cold, hard metrics from that last matchup.
American shot 47% from the field. Usually, that’s enough to keep you in a game. They even shot 37% from three. On paper, that looks like a winning offensive performance.
But they couldn't stop a beach ball on the other end.
The Mount shot 57.7% for the game. You aren't winning many games when you let the other team shoot nearly 60%. It wasn't just the starters, either. Dallas Hobbs came off the bench and chipped in 17 points, including some back-breaking threes whenever AU tried to make a run.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
The biggest misconception? That American is the "big brother" in this relationship.
Sure, American has the Patriot League pedigree and the D.C. zip code. But Mount St. Mary's has the tournament history. The 2025 win was their third First Four victory in program history (following wins in 2008 and 2017). They know how to navigate Dayton.
AU, meanwhile, is still searching for that elusive "W" on the national stage.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Matchup
If these two meet again in the 2026 season—and the rumors of a non-conference tilt are swirling—here is what to watch for:
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- Frontcourt Health: If American doesn't find a legitimate interior presence to replace the Rogers era, the Mountaineers will just repeat the 2025 blueprint.
- The Three-Point Variance: American lives and dies by the arc. If Sprouse is cold, the game is over by halftime.
- Neutral Site vs. Home Court: The Mount is historically much shakier at AU's Bender Arena than they are in Dayton or at their own Knott Arena.
The 2025 First Four wasn't just a game. It was a 40-minute lesson in why "size matters" isn't just a cliché in college basketball. American had the skill; the Mount had the muscle.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal. Both schools are currently hunting for mid-major bigs who can shore up those defensive rotations. If you're betting on the next chapter of American vs St. Mary's, look at the injury report first.
As it stands, the Mountaineers own the bragging rights. The Eagles have the motivation. It’s a dangerous combination for whenever they next step on the floor together.
For those tracking the 2026 season, watch the Patriot League standings closely. American is projected to be a top-three finisher again, but they need to prove they can handle the physical toll of a team like the Mountaineers before anyone takes them seriously as a bracket-buster.