The American University men's basketball team defeated the University at Albany 57-44 Monday night in Albany, N.Y.

The win improves American to 2-0 on the young season and marks only the second time under Head Coach Jeff Jones that the Eagles have opened the year with two straight victories. Vlad Moldoveanu scored a team-high 11 points with Stephen Lumpkins and Troy Brewer adding 10 apiece. Lumpkins grabbed a game-high eight rebounds while Moldoveanu tallied seven.

American (2-0) opened the game on an 8-2 run, shooting 4-of-8 from the field and forcing two Albany (0-2) turnovers. Moldoveanu extended the Eagles' lead as he hit a mid-range shot and a three-pointer before a pair of Simon McCormack free throws made it a 17-8 game with 8:54 to play.

Steve Luptak gave American its first double-digit lead of the night with a strong drive to basket. On the ensuing possession he found Brewer alone in the corner for an open three, capping off a 9-0 stretch and putting the Eagles on top 26-12. The Great Danes cut American's advantage to 10 points but a Nick Hendra three followed by a Daniel Munoz drive to the basket gave the Eagles a 31-16 lead with 2:51 left in the half.  

A 7-3 Albany run down the stretch put the score at 34-23 at the break. Moldoveanu led the Eagles with seven points at half while Brewer, Mike Bersch and Hendra each added five. The Eagles shot 50.0 percent (13-26) through the first 20 minutes while holding Albany to 34.6 percent (9-26) from the field and 14.3 percent (1-7) from three. American also forced eight Great Dane turnovers.

The Great Danes used a 5-0 spurt early in the second half to pull to within six, 37-31. The Eagles ended the run with a Lumpkins bucket as the junior scored six quick points during an 8-0 American stretch. A Munoz three-pointer with 11:06 on the clock put the Eagles ahead 48-33.

Brewer scored five straight points to give American a 16 point margin, 57-41. The Eagles advantage never dipped below 11 points throughout the remainder of regulation as American walked away with the 57-44 victory.

"We got off to a good start and for the most part were outstanding defensively," Jones commented following the game. "We didn't shoot the ball particularly well but we ran our offense and limited our turnovers. Every win is a good win, but we know we didn't play our best and can be better."

American shot 43.8 percent (21-48) from the floor and was 7-of-23 from beyond the arc. The Eagles defense, meanwhile, limited Albany to 31.5 percent (17-54) shooting and forced 11 turnovers. Tim Ambrose led the Great Danes with 13 points while Logan Aronhalt added 11.

The Eagles will return to the court on Wednesday, November 17 when they welcome UMES to Bender Arena for a 7:30 p.m. showdown. Tickets are still available for Wednesday's game and can be purchased by calling (202) 885-TIXX or by clicking here. Fans unnable to attend the game can catch all of the action live through AUeagles.com via Eagles Vision TV.