WASHINGTON - Senior Steve Miles (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield) led American with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists, but it was not enough to help the Eagles overcome a 16- point second half deficit.

Miles, who had just two points in the first half, got the Eagles off to a fast start in the second half. AU trailed by nine (30-21) after the first 20 minutes, but Miles scored seven straight points in 70 seconds to cut the margin to four points, 34-30. A Glenn Stokes (Silver Spring, Md./Albert Einstein) layup made it a two-point game, however, that was as close as American would get the rest of the way. Stokes finished with a season-low seven points to go along with three steals, three assists and five rebounds.

Jernavis Draughn (Triangle, Va./Poyomac Senior) had three blocks for the second time this season along with 11 points, five rebounds and a steal. Andres Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Louisville) injured his ankle after a hard foul sent him to the floor on a drive to the basket. He returned to action and finished with three assists, three points and a steal in 24 minutes. Raimondas Petrauskas (Mazeikiai, Lithunia/Lithuanian Physical Culture Academy) played very well for the Eagles. He scored just four points, but blocked a career-high three shots, pulled down five rebounds and provided AU with solid interior defense.

Erick Wills led St. Francis with 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting while Jason Osborne had 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Osborne also had six rebounds. St. Francis is now 5-5.

American (5-7) will next play at the University of Pennsylvania on January 8, 2003. The game is at 7:00 p.m.