Media Information
Teams: American (0-1) vs. Albany (0-2)
Date and Location: Monday, November 16, 2009, 7:30 p.m. - Bender Arena, Washington, D.C.
Radio: Federal News Radio 1500/820AM - Dan Laing (Play-By-Play), Jeremy Huber (Analyst)
Web: Eagles Vision TV
Game Notes
Tickets

The American University men's basketball team will make its 2009-10 home debut on Monday, November 16, against Albany at 7:30 p.m. Prior to tipoff, American will celebrate its 2008-09 Patriot League Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance with a special banner raising ceremony. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative mini-banner courtesy of GEICO. Monday's game will mark the first meeting between the Eagles and Great Danes.

Monday will also mark the return of Mike Unger to the blogging scene. Unger authored 'Marching Through March' last season, a live blog which followed American's run through the Patriot League Tournament and appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In 2008, Unger authored 'Birmingham Bound,' an inside look at the Eagles first NCAA Tournament appearance. Follow Unger's blog Monday by visiting AUeagles.com.

American opened its season on Friday at St. Francis (Pa.). The Eagles held an 11-point halftime lead but early foul troubles in the second half allowed the Red Flash to make a comeback and steal a 65-61 victory.

Riley Grafft led the Eagles scoring attack as he netted a career-high 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. The sophomore scored 10 points in the first half and finished the evening with six rebounds, one assist and one steal in 30 minutes. Grafft was complimented by Stephen Lumpkins and Nick Hendra who each added 10 points. Lumpkins went 6-of-7 from the free throw line and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds with two assists. Hendra hit two big there-pointers in the second half and totaled five rebounds, one assist and one steal. Simon McCormack added eight points, seven rebounds and two assists off the bench.

American has won four of its last five home openers, including a 67-46 win over St. Francis last season in front of 2,123 Bender Arena fans. The Eagles are 7-2 in home openers under Head Coach Jeff Jones.

To read the full game notes, click here.