Charleston, S.C. - Senior Steve Miles (Alexandria, Va./Coastal Carolina) had a career evening with 19 points and 15 rebounds in 43 minutes, but it was not enough to hold off the College of Charleston, as the Eagles lost in overtime by three, 68-65.

American grabbed the lead five minutes into the contest, and despite the Cougars tying the game on several occasions, AU never trailed until overtime. In the first half the Eagles jumped to a 12-point lead, after a flurry of three-pointers put them up 21-9. Miles, Glenn Stokes (Silver Spring, Md./Tallahassee CC) and Ric Patiejunas (Vilnius, Lithuania/Vilnius College) all hit from behind the arc to contribute to the lead. However, the College of Charleston went on a 8-2 run to end the half tied at 29 apiece.

The Eagles came out strong in the second half, scoring the first nine points of the half to take a 38-29 lead. However, the Cougars kept things close and finally tied the game at 53 with 1:06 left. Patiejuans missed a three with 39 seconds remaining and then the Eagles survived a flurry of late shots by the Cougars to see the game go into overtime.

American never really got untracked in the overtime period. They fell behind by eight points and did not score until there was 1:12 left. Matej Cresnik (Velenje, Sovenia/Univerza V Ljubljani) got things going with a three and eventually American cut the deficit to a single point (66-65) with ten seconds remaining.

American leads the series over Charleston 4-2, but the loss tonight was the second straight overtime loss the Eagles have suffered at the hands of the Cougars. For Miles, a former Coastal Carolina player, there must be something about Charleston that brings out his best. His career scoing mark of 24 points was against them last year, his career rebounding mark was set in tonight's game and he played a career-high 43 minutes against Charleston both last year and this year.

Andres Rodriguez (San Juan, Pueto Rico/Louisville) had his finest game of the year with 11 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals. As a team the Eagles had a season-high 48 rebounds and had eight three-pointers.

American (3-4) will now have less than 48 hours before they next play at Fairfield University on December 22, 2002.