AU doesn’t make most of Boynton’s struggles
As a prohibitive underdog Sunday, American University got what it needed to compete against No. 18 Florida. The Gators’ top scorer, Kenny Boynton, missed all nine of his shots from the floor.
But accompanied by the misfiring ways of their own star, Vlad Moldoveanu, the Eagles couldn’t take advantage in a 67-48 loss at Verizon Center in the opener of the BB&T Classic.
While Moldoveanu (14 points) was missing eight of nine shots from 3-point range, Boynton’s fellow starters provided coverage, hitting 20 of 31 shots. Junior guard Erving Walker (16 points) and senior forward Chandler Parsons (13 points, eight rebounds) were the catalysts as the Gators won in their second BB&T appearance.
“It’s hard to have a chance against a good Florida team if you make as many mental errors as I think we did,” AU coach Jeff Jones said after his team committed 17 turnovers. “For us to have any chance we have to be pretty much damn near perfect.”
Florida (6-2) also got solid work from senior forward Alex Tyus (14 points) and former Georgetown forward Vernon Macklin (12 points, two blocks).
AU (5-3) was led by guard Tony Brewer (17 points), who hit six of eight shots from the floor. The Eagles will get additional help when Charles Hinkle, a 6-5 transfer from Vanderbilt, becomes eligible next week.
“I don’t know exactly,” Jones said when asked how Hinkle will fit in the rotation. “I hope there are three or four guys who are wondering the same thing.”
