Mount St. Mary's has proven they're a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA tournament!

In an exhilarating First Four matchup of the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament, the Mountaineers claimed victory against American with a score of 83-72 at the UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Now, they are gearing up for a high-stakes showdown with the formidable top-seeded Duke Blue Devils in the East Region.

The game was dominated by an impressive performance from three key players: Jedy Cordilia, who racked up 22 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals; Dallas Hobbs, contributing 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, and three steals; and Dola Adebayo, who matched Cordilia's scoring with another 22 points along with four rebounds. This trio displayed remarkable synergy, overwhelming the Eagles with their combined prowess.

American faced a significant setback when their leading scorer, Matt Rogers, suffered a knee injury early in the first half. Despite his attempts to play through the pain, Rogers was ultimately unable to continue. Geoff Sprouse stepped up in his absence, scoring 18 points, but it wasn’t sufficient to challenge the Mountaineers' offensive machine.

Both teams entered this matchup with momentum; Mount St. Mary's had gone 11-3 in their last 14 games, culminating in a thrilling victory in the MAAC tournament title game against Iona. Meanwhile, American was riding a wave of success as well, boasting a 15-3 record in their final 18 games, which included a championship win over Navy in the Patriot League.

The first half showcased a highly competitive dynamic, but the pivotal moment arrived when Rogers was sidelined. This injury allowed the Mountaineers to construct a solid 10-point halftime lead, largely fueled by the explosive offensive play of Cordilia and Hobbs. As the game progressed, Adebayo joined the fray, consistently breaking through American’s defense and extending the lead further.

American attempted to reduce the deficit in the final minutes, implementing a full-court press that forced the Mountaineers into some sloppy plays. Yet, even with this late surge, they couldn't close the gap, leading to Mount St. Mary's securing their well-deserved victory.

Looking ahead, facing Duke presents an entirely new level of challenge for the Mountaineers. However, with the dynamic trio of Cordilia, Hobbs, and Adebayo on their side, Mount St. Mary's is poised to fight hard, hoping to send shockwaves through the tournament. Fans are buzzing in anticipation of what promises to be a thrilling encounter as March Madness rolls on!