WASHINGTON - Behind a stat line of 17 points, a career-high eight steals and seven assists from senior Sa'eed Nelson, the American University men's basketball team dominated nearly from start to finish in an 85-61 win over visiting UMBC (5-4) on Tuesday night at Bender Arena. The Eagles (3-4) shot 59 percent from the field and got scoring contributions from all 11 healthy players on the roster.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Nelson's eight steals, which are tied for second all-time in a single game in program history, helped AU score 26 points off UMBC turnovers, of which the Eagles forced 20.
• The big runs started early for AU. The Eagles scored eight straight points in a 14-3 run that put them ahead 16-7 at 12:33 of the first half.
• Nelson scored for the final seven AU points in the opening period as the Eagles closed it out 9-3 for a 42-28 lead at the break.
• AU shot 55.6 percent from the field in the first (15-of-27) and went on to better that in the second, shooting 63.6 percent (14-of-22).
• The Eagles made 10 three-pointers for a second time this season, getting two apiece from five different players.
• Scoring in double figures along with Nelson were sophomore Jacob Boonyasith (12 points) and junior Stacy Beckton Jr. (10 points).
• Coming off the bench for a career-best game so far was freshman Ben Lubarsky, who hit 3-of-3 from the field including two from long range to finish with nine points. Graduate student Yilret Yiljep hit 4-of-5 overall for eight points and also posted five rebounds and a block.
• The second-half lead was never less than the Eagles' 14-point margin at halftime, but was still just 18, 66-48 with nine minutes left.
• With a 9-0 run in a two-minute span, AU increased its lead to 27 points, 75-48 at 6:56. The Eagles' largest lead was 29 points with two minutes to go.
• Foul trouble plagued AU all game long, but the Retrievers struggled to take advantage, going just 21-of-36 at the stripe (58 percent).

UP NEXT

• American will be nearby for its next game, a 7 p.m. contest at George Mason on Saturday, Dec. 7.

MEN'S BASKETBALL HOLIDAY 3-PACK TICKET MINI-PLAN AVAILABLE THROUGH DEC. 31

• Treat yourself or give the gift of AU Hoops this December by purchasing the AU Men's Basketball's Holiday 3-Pack Ticket Mini-Plan!  For just $50 you get a sideline ticket to 3 great match-ups of your choice from all remaining home games. Shopping for Eagle fans on your holiday list has never been easier.  Purchase this special holiday season limited time offer at AUeagles.com/Tickets today!

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET INFO

• Great seats remain for the Dec. 21 home game vs. Stony Brook, as well as all nine home Patriot League games beginning with Jan. 5 vs. Boston University in Bender Arena.  Secure your seats today by visiting AUeagles.com/Tickets or by calling (202) 885-TIXX (8499).  Group Tickets are available starting at just $5 each.
• AU students are admitted free of charge to home basketball games with a valid AU ID.

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).