The American University men's basketball team fell in its season opener at Richmond on Friday, 66-56, after leading 29-25 at the end of the first half.

Troy Brewer led all scorers with 22 points, hitting six from beyond the arc, also posting six rebounds. Charles Hinkle added 20 points and recorded a team-high seven rebounds. Tony Wroblicky had six rebounds and four points, while Blake Jolivette added five points and Daniel Munoz led the team with nine assists.

American (0-1) never trailed in the first and led by as many as nine with 10:10 on the clock following a Hinkle lay-up. Richmond was able to bring it within two points off a lay-up from Cedrick Lindsay with 8:40 left, before the Eagles were able to pull away with Hinkle adding two to end the half.

The Eagles shot 32.4 percent from the field in the first half and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. Richmond shot 36.7 percent and were 1-for-12 from three-point range.

Richmond (1-0) opened the half with a pair of free throws from Derrick Williams, before Hinkle added four points to put the Eagles up 33-29 with 17:36 remaining in the game.

The Spiders were able to tie the game off a Williams jumper, before Brewer answered with a three-pointer with 14:53 left to put the Eagles up 36-33. But two pairs of Richmond made free throws to give the Spiders the 42-39 lead with 10:16 on the clock. American was able to bring it within three points off a Hinkle three with 4:06 left, but Richmond would hold onto the lead for the remainder of the game.

American shot 33.3 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Spiders 39-34, and also held statistical advantages in assists (14-8). Richmond led in blocks (5-3), steals (8-2) and points off turnovers (22-4).

The Eagles return to action on Monday, November 14 when they travel to Maryland-Eastern Shore, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. They will host Florida Atlantic for the home opener on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available by clicking here and for fans that cannot make it to Bender Arena, the game will be carried live on Eagles Vision TV.