Game 2 · American vs. William & Mary
Friday, Nov. 9, 2019 · 7 p.m. · Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
All-Time Record: AU leads, 35-14
Stream: Patriot League Network
Talent: Dan Laing (pxp), Jimmy Patsos (analyst), Penny Kmitt (sideline)
Live Stats
Game Notes: American | William & Mary
WASHINGTON — The 2019-20 home slate begins for American University men's basketball on Friday, Nov. 8 as the Eagles (0-1) host William & Mary (1-0) at 7 p.m. at Bender Arena. The game will mark the season debut of senior point guard and Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year
Sa'eed Nelson.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
- In his American debut, junior Jamir Harris led the Eagles with a team-high 20 points in their loss at Siena, hitting 6-of-11 field goals including 4-of-6 three-pointers.
- AU's 80 points were high for a team that averaged 72 points per game in 2018-19, but Siena took an early lead and made 11 three-pointers to the Eagles' six.
- American was picked third in the Patriot League Preseason Coaches Poll. The Eagles finished the 2018-19 season tied for fourth place and hosted their first PL Tournament Quarterfinal game since 2014.
- American returns PL Preseason Player of the Year Sa'eed Nelson and classmate Mark Gasperini. The duo combined to average 30.1 points per game or 42 percent of AU's total points. .
- Junior Stacy Beckton Jr. is the third highest returning scorer for the Eagles, and improved from 4.4 ppg as a freshman to 10.0 ppg as a sophomore.
SCOUTING THE TRIBE
- Senior Nathan Knight ranks 17th among active NCAA Division I players with 1,478 career points. Knight had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Tribe in their season-opening win against High Point.
- Thornton Scott led the Tribe with 22 points and five rebounds against the Panthers, connecting on 6-of-8 from the outside.
- At center, Andy Van Vliet will be a tough task for AU's Gasperini. At seven-foot, Van Vliet, a transfer from Wisconsin, posted eight points and 10 rebounds vs. High Point.
- William & Mary is coming off a 14-17 season that ended in the quarterfinals of the CAA Tournament.
- New head coach Dane Fischer, in his first season in 2019-20, came from George Mason where he was the top assistant for four years.
UP NEXT
- American will head down the road to George Washington for a 7 p.m. game on Tuesday, Nov. 12. (ESPN+)
BENDER ARENA TICKET INFO
- 2019-20 basketball season tickets are available now. Packages are priced as low as $50 and only $200 for the best chairback seats along the sideline for all home games in Bender Arena.
- Season ticket holders receive savings off the individual game price, guaranteeing fans the same great seats for all games in Bender Arena, and benefits that include the full exchange for games they cannot make – as well as discounts, and exclusive benefits throughout the year. All season ticket holders also receive their same seat for all home postseason league games and priority ticketing for all national postseason tournament games.
- AU students are admitted free of charge to home basketball games with a valid AU ID. To renew or purchase season tickets e-mail clawed@american.edu, call (202) 885-TIXX (8499), or for all individual ticket purchase needs visit AUEagles.com/Tickets.
For the latest on American University Men's Basketball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MBasketball), Facebook (AU.MBasketball) and Instagram (@au_mbasketball).
