Game 19 · American (9-9, 5-2 PL) vs. Colgate (15-5, 6-1 PL)

Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 25 - 2 p.m.
Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
Series History: American leads, 31-13
TV: NBC Sports Washington Plus / Patriot League Network
Talent: Dan Laing (pxp), David Aldridge (color), Penny Kmitt (sideline)

WASHINGTON - With first place in the Patriot League on the line, American University men's basketball welcomes Colgate for a battle inside Bender Arena on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Although American has historically had the upper hand against the Raiders, Colgate has taken six straight meetings between the schools, including a 65-51 victory earlier this month. 
• American hung tough for most of the game before a late barrage of threes helped Colgate pull away.
• The last time the Raiders came to D.C. resulted in an 83-81 overtime victory for Colgate on Feb. 16, 2019. American never trailed in regulation, but gave up a late three to force overtime.
• The last victory for AU in the series came on Jan. 1, 2017 (67-64).

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

• AU has won three straight, and five of its last six games, heading into a showdown with Colgate. 
• The Eagles are coming off their first overtime win since Nov. 9, 2018 after topping Loyola Maryland, 93-91, on Wednesday night in Baltimore. 
• 93 points marked a new season-high for the Eagles. 
• In the win over the Greyhounds, six players scored in double-figures for American for the first time in 16 years.
• Mark Gasperini (16 points, 12 rebounds) had his second double-double in his last three games while Sa'eed Nelson very nearly had a triple-double in the win (21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists).
• Sa'eed's performance moved him up on two more all-time lists. With 21 points, Sa'eed moved to eighth place on the Patriot League all-time scoring list and passed Brian Ehlers of Lafayette, who scored 1,836 points from 1996-00. With eight assists, Sa'eed moved to fourth place on AU's all-time assists list and passed Andres Rodriguez, who had 465 helpers from 2001-04.
• The Eagles made their first 18 free-throws with their only miss coming on the last play of the game against Loyola. The 18-for-19 performance was good for 94.7 percent from the charity stripe, a new season-high. 
• The Eagles are among the PL leaders in several categories, including scoring (4th, 71.7), 3-point FG PCT (3rd, 34.9), and steals (1st, 7.4).

SCOUTING THE RAIDERS

• Colgate has raced out to a 6-1 Patriot League record, marking the best seven-game start in league play for the Raiders since 1996-97. 
• With 10.6 3-point FGs per game, Colgate ranks third in NCAA D-I and first in the PL. 
• Colgate also leads the PL in these categories: free-throw  pct (77.2), scoring (74.8), 3-point FG defense (.300)
• Colgate is 9-0 at home this season, but are 5-5 in road gameS.

OTHER GAME NOTES

• The Eagles have used the same starting five (S. Nelson, Harris, Boonyasith, Beckton Jr., Gasperini) for 17 straight games. 
• When American's bench gets going, the results have been good. The Eagles are 7-2, including 5-0 in PL play, when their bench outscores the opponent.
• A win would put American into a tie for first-place in the Patriot League.
• Jamir Harris leads the Patriot League in free-throw percentage (95.1). He has also made 15 straight freebies since Jan. 5 against Boston U.

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET INFO

• The next home men's basketball game in Bender Arena will be Monday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. vs. Lehigh.
• 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.

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).