Senior’s quick start paves way in rout of Navy
When asked what held back Charles Hinkle in his junior year at American University, coach Jeff Jones always has a variation of the same answer: Hinkle was playing behind Vlad Moldoveanu.
As the season has progressed, Jones words have rung true. With averages of 19.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Hinkle has blossomed into this year’s version of Moldoveanu, who averaged 20.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 2010-11.
On Wednesday night, Hinkle was so good in the first half that he rested most of the second. Hitting all six of his shots before intermission, including four 3-pointers, Hinkle scored 18 points in a stress-free, 69-47 victory over Navy before 1,219 at Bender Arena.
With 6-10 sophomore Tony Wroblicky (13 points, 12 rebounds) also having his way with the struggling, undersized Midshipmen, AU improved to 17-9 overall and 8-3 in the Patriot League, while extending the losing streak of Navy (3-22, 0-11) to a program-record 18 games.
AU was dominant in every facet, hitting 49.1 percent of its shots, including 47.1 percent from beyond the arc, while holding Navy to 31.8 percent from the floor. The Eagles out-rebounded the Mids 33-24.
Coming off a 59-52 loss at Holy Cross, Jones was satisfied that his team came ready to play.
“It was a relief more than a high. Ita very important game for us,” Jones said. “After losing to Holy Cross and playing the way that we did, it was important for us to bounce back and play with a lot of intensity.”
Hitting 3-pointers on AU’s first two possessions, Hinkle ignited a 10-0 run to start the game and Navy never challenged. By the half, it was 36-12 and Hinkle, with 16 points, had out-scored the Mids by himself. In the second half, AU cleared the bench and cruised.
“When you’re shooting like that, it boosts up the team, boosts up the confidence,” Hinkle said. “I didn’t want us to be stagnant and play at their level.”
For Hinkle, it’s been a long way from last year when he averaged 4.5 points in 13 minutes and never became the nasty, physical defender as advertised. After transferring from Vanderbilt and becoming eligible in December, Hinkle never found his role.
But this year there has been no question about his place on the team. He is the second-leading scorer in the Patriot League and AU’s top 3-point threat, hitting 42.7 percent.
While the 6-foot-5 Hinkle bears little resemblance to the 6-9 Moldoveanu, he has filled the same role.
“Charles doesn’t get any post up baskets,” Jones said. “But what is similar is that last year with Vlad we went to him and more often than not, Vlad responded. I would say the same thing about Charles.”
Notes: Sophomore guard Thurgood Wynn led Navy with 10 points.
