Video Highlights (ALL VIDEO)

Sophomore Stephen Lumpkins scored a game-high 18 points and junior Nick Hendra added 12 but it was not enough as the American University men's basketball team fell to Randolph-Macon Tuesday night, 49-47, in the team's exhibition opener. Randolph-Macon's Eric Pugh snared a rebound off of a missed Hendra three-pointer with nine seconds left and took the ball the length of the floor to convert a layup as time expired, breaking a 47-all tie and giving the Yellow Jackets the victory.

Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm early in the contest and went into the 12-minute media timeout tied at nine. American broke away with a 9-0 run which was capped by a Daniel Munoz layup with 2:34 remaining, taking an 18-9 advantage. On the ensuing possession, however, David Carlson hit a three to cut the lead to the eventual halftime margin of 18-12, ending a stretch of 13:34 in which the Eagles held the Yellow Jackets scoreless.

The two teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the second half. Following a Kevin Voelkel free throw which brought Randolph-Macon to within two, freshman Blake Jolivette and sophomore Riley Grafft responded with a pair of baskets to regain a six point American advantage, 25-19, with 16:16 on the clock . Randolph-Macon, however, would later overtake the Eagles, 28-27, following a 7-0 run with 11:11 remaining. Neither team would take a lead larger than two points over the final 11 minutes of action, as the two traded the lead nine times in that span.

Lumpkins converted an old fashioned three-point play with 1:22 left that put American on top by two before Randolph-Macon's Danny Jones sank two foul shots to tie the game on the ensuing possession. A Hendra layup regained the lead for American at 47-45 but the Yellow Jackets answered once again with a David Carlson jumper to tie the game, 47-47, with just 33 ticks remaining. After an American timeout to setup the final shot, Hendra's three-point attempt fell short with nine seconds on the clock and was corralled by Pugh. The junior then went the distance of the floor and converted a layup as the buzzer sounded, sealing the 49-47 victory.

Lumpkins lead all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go with six rebounds. Hendra added 12 points and matched Grafft's game-high total of seven rebounds. Munoz notched six points, three rebounds and two assists in his collegiate debut. Pugh led Randolph-Macon with 11 points in the winning effort.

“It's early in the season and we know we have a lot of work to do,” Head Coach Jeff Jones commented during his live postgame interview with Eagles Vision TV. “There were some good things and some bad things. Regardless of winning or losing, we knew we had a long way to go. Hopefully we can build on the good stuff, recognize it, and learn from the mistakes we made to become a better basketball team.”

The Eagles will return to the floor this Sunday, November 8, at 4:30 p.m. as they host Catholic at Bender Arena in the team's exhibition finale. Tickets to Sunday's game priced at $15 for sideline reserved and $7-$10 for end zone reserved. Season Tickets and mini-plans are also on sale and can be purchased by calling (202) 885-TIXX or by clicking here.

Fans unable to make it to the game can catch all of the action live on the new Eagles Vision TV channel. Eagles broadcast team Dan Laing and Jeremy Huber will provide analysis of the game live from courtside with multiple camera angles and a live scoreboard. Click here to sign up for Eagles Vision TV today.