HAMILTON, N.Y. -- An early run gave Colgate momentum on Thursday night on Cotterell Court and the American University men's basketball team couldn't fight all the way back, ultimately falling to the defending Patriot League champions, 65-51. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Mark Gasperini came out firing right away, scoring 12 first-half points and finishing with 14. The output marked Gasperini's third straight double-digit scoring performance and his fourth in five games. He also led the team with eight rebounds. 
• In his 100th career start at American, Sa'eed Nelson recorded 14 points in addition to six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. 
• Stacy Beckton Jr. had nine points and two rebounds. 
• As a team, the Eagles were held to 34.4% shooting (21-of-61) and 4-of-19 from three-point range.
• Colgate extended it's home winning streak to a school-record 13 straight games. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Colgate won the tip, stingy defense from AU resulted in a quick turnover. 
• American scored the first five points and led 7-2 with 17:19 left in the first half.
• Colgate then ran off a 16-2 run to build its largest lead of the half at 18-9 with 14:15 remaining before a bucket from Gasperini stopped the bleeding.
• The two teams went back-and-forth in the middle portion of the first half before the Eagles ran off a 9-2 run that culminated in an emphatic dunk by Gasperini and a layup by Nelson to trail by two with 3:02 left.
• Nelson's bucket would be the final American points of the half. Colgate scored eight straight points to head into the locker room with a 35-25 lead. 
• American came out of the locker room ready to play, scoring the first four points of the second half. 
• A steal by Nelson led to a dunk by Beckton Jr. that cut the deficit to seven at the first media timeout. 
• Connor Nelson hit a three-pointer to get the Eagles within five at 46-41 with 11:24 left to play. 
• American ran off a 9-2 run punctuated by a nice up-and-under play by Gasperini to cut the deficit to three at 48-45 with 8:23 remaining. 
• The Eagles wouldn't get any closer as the Raiders closed the game on a 17-6 run to win 65-51. 

UP NEXT

• The Eagles will return back to Bender Arena for the first time since Dec. 21 when they take on Boston University on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 3 P.M. 

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET INFO

• Great seats remain for all nine home Patriot League games beginning with the Jan. 5 PL home opener 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).