WASHINGTON -- American's men's basketball dropped its second straight home game, losing 61-51 to Pennsylvania. The Eagles record now stands at 2-3 while Penn improved to 5-1. Vladimir Buscaglia (Geneva, Switzerland/Wabash Valley CC) led the Eagles with 14 points and Patrick Doctor (Brandywine, Md./Gwynn Park) scored 13 points and gathered 7 rebounds. Koko Archibong led the Quakers with a game-high 22 points.

The first ten minutes of the game were close with the Doctor scoring seven of the first nine American points. Penn went on a 7-0 run to open up a ten point lead and an Archibong three-pointer gave the Quakers a 12 point margin at the half.

Early in the second half, the Eagles went through a five minute stretch without a field goal. Penn was able to open up a 17 point lead with under ten minutes remaining in the game behind six points by Ugonna Onyekwe. Solid American defense brought the Eagles back in the game as they held the Quakers scoreless for almost six minutes. During this time American went on a 12-0 run keyed by a four point play by Buscaglia. The Eagles were able to shave one more point off the Penn lead to get within four with just over a minute to play, but would come no closer. Penn shot nine-of-11 from the line down the stretch to seal the game.

The Penn defense caused problems for the Eagles all game, forcing 20 turnovers. The Quakers had five blocks and ten steals compared to two blocks and five steals by American. The Eagles did shoot over 40 percent from the floor for the first time this season and continued their excellent foul shooting, going 12-of-15 from the line.

American finished the homestand 1-2. The Eagles now head on a five game road trip, starting at Radford on Dec. 4. The next home game for American is Dec. 29 against Wagner.