Game 16 · American vs. Bucknell
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 15 - 7 p.m.
Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
Series History: Bucknell leads, 42-23
TV: Patriot League Network
Talent: Dan Laing (pxp), David Aldridge (color), and Penny Kmitt (sideline)

WASHINGTON - After a tough loss on the road last Saturday, American University men's basketball looks to right the ship with a battle against perennial Patriot League power Bucknell inside Bender Arena on Wednesday night. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• With a win at home last January, American topped Bucknell for just the second time in the last 18 meetings between the schools. 
• The last time AU took two straight games against the Bison was from Feb. 13, 2008 to Feb. 11, 2009 when the Eagles won three straight matchups.
• Bucknell holds a 19-15 advantage in games played in Washington, D.C. 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

• The Eagles dropped a game to Lehigh on the road Saturday night, 82-73. The Mountain Hawks flew out to a 15-2 lead and AU could never recover. 
• Connor Nelson had a career-night, setting new highs in three-pointers (5) and points (19). 
• Josh Alexander also played well off the bench, setting a new season-high with eight points and and a new career-high with 11 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.  
• American ranks near the top of the Patriot League in 3-point FG% (3rd, 34.4), steals (1st, 7.5/game), and turnover margin (1st, +0.87).
• Jamir Harris leads the Patriot League in free-throw percentage (94.7).
• Sa'eed Nelson leads the league in minutes played (35.5/game) and steals (2.86/game). His steals/game also rank fourth in NCAA D-I. 

SCOUTING THE BISON

• The Bison are 3-1 in Patriot League play with wins over Army, Lafayette, and Holy Cross.
• Led by John Meeks with 19 points, Bucknell had four players score in double-figures in a 75-60 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday. 
• Bucknell is a strong defensive team, ranking second in the league in steals (6.9/game) and blocks (3.5/game).
• Jimmy Sotos runs the offense to the tune of 4.2 apg to go along with 12.6 ppg. Avi Toomer averages 12.1 ppg and ranks second in the league by shooting 43.5% from three-point range. 
• Coach Nathan Davis has won at least a share of the Patriot League regular-season title in each of his first four seasons. 

OTHER GAME NOTES

• The Eagles have used the same starting five (S. Nelson, Harris, Boonyasith, Beckton Jr., Gasperini) for 14 straight games. 
• Starting with Bucknell, American will play at home four times in the next five games, with the only road trip being up I-95 to Loyola in Baltimore.
• Speaking of playing at home, the Eagles are 3-2 inside Bender Arena this season. 
• AU has lost four straight games to schools located in Pennsylvania. The last time American beat a team from the Keystone State? It was last January at home against Bucknell. 
• When American's bench gets going, the results have been good. The Eagles are 4-2, including 2-0 in PL play, when their bench outscores the opponent. 
• AU is looking to improve its record on Wednesdays to 2-0 with a win against Bucknell. The first time American played on a Wednesday was a 68-60 road victory against Army a week ago. 

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET INFO

• The next home men's basketball game in Bender Arena will be Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. vs. Bucknell. Great seats are available for this and all remaining Patriot League basketball home games. 
• 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.

"BENDER WEEKENDER" TICKET MINI-PLAN NOW ON SALE THROUGH JAN. 17

• Ring in the new year by purchasing AU Men's Basketball's "Bender Weekender" Ticket Mini-Plan! 
• For just $50 you get a sideline ticket in Sections 102 or 105 to three exciting Saturday afternoon home match-ups this January and February: Jan. 18 vs. Holy Cross, Jan. 25 vs. Colgate and Feb. 8 vs. Army. 
• Purchase this special limited time offer at AUeagles.com/Tickets now through Jan. 17!

KEEP UP WITH US

• 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).