BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The American University men's basketball team played well for the first 20 minutes, but could not overcome a 13-0 run by Lehigh early in the second half, eventually, losing by 21 points. American is now 12-12 on the year, and 6-4 in Patriot League play.

Andres Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Louisville) got the Eagles off to a fast start by scoring seven of AU's first nine points. A Jason Thomas (Herndon, Va./Notre Dame Academy [Mass.]) three-pointer pushed the Eagles to a 16-7 lead, but the Mountain Hawks got untracked, and took the lead for good when Mike Fischman hit a jumper with 4:05 left in the half (32-31). American finished the first stanza down four points, 43-39, as Rodriguez and Andre Ingram (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) each scored 10 points.

Jernavis Draughn (Triangle, Va./Potomac Senior) hit a free throw early in the second half and Matej Cresnik (Velenje, Slovenia/Univerza V Ljubljani) buried a three at 18:29 to knot the game at 43 apiece. However, the Mountain Hawks went on a 13-0 run and the Eagles could not get any closer than nine points the rest of the way. 10 of the 13 points were scored by Austen Rowland, with only a Nick Monserez trey breaking up the streak.

Draughn was one point shy of a double-double as he finished with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Thomas had 16 points and was four-of-five from behind the three-point line. He also dished out four assists in 29 minutes. Rodriguez finished with 13 points, four assists and two steals in 38 minutes of action. Ingram chipped in 13 points and three assists.

American shot 55.5 percent from the floor in the first half, but could not keep up the hot shooting in the final 20 minutes (34.4 percent). They were outrebounded by Lehigh 37-21.

Rowland led all scorers with 29 points and nine assists while Jose Olivero was the only other Mountain Hawk in double figures with 18 points.

AU will next play at Bender Arena on Friday, Feb. 20 against Holy Cross. Game time is 8 p.m