WASHINGTON - Yilret Yiljep picked up his first career double-double while Sa'eed Nelson and Stacy Beckton Jr. both set new season-highs in scoring to pace a big win over Lehigh, 77-56, on Monday night inside Bender Arena. 

QUICK NOTABLES

• Yiljep first entered the game with the Eagles trailing, 10-4, early in the first half. He instantly changed the momentum, setting new career-highs in points (15), rebounds (10), and free throws made (7). 
• Sa'eed had his fourth straight 20-point game, going off for a new season-high 26 points against the Mountain Hawks. He went 8-for-8 from the charity stripe and added eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals. 
• Beckton Jr. reached double-figures in scoring for the fourth time in his last five games, reaching a new season-high with 16 points. He went 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, marking a new career-best. 
• American improves to 10-10, including 6-3 in Patriot League play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• American started out slow, only scoring four points in the first seven-plus minutes of action. 
• A 9-2 run in the middle of the frame gave AU its first lead at 18-14 with 7:51 remaining. 
• AU stretched its lead to six points on two occasions, but headed into the locker room with a 29-24 lead. 
• Both teams traded buckets in the early part of the second half, but an 18-6 run in the middle of the frame put AU up for good, 51-35, with 8:42 to play.
• Lehigh clawed back within 12 points inside five minutes left and were pressing on defense, but AU kept its composure and made important free throws down the stretch to pull away late.

BY THE NUMBERS

• It's the second 20-point win of the season for American, with the first coming against UMBC on Dec. 3, 2019 (85-61).
• Sa'eed became the eighth player in Patriot League history to surpass 1,900 points with his scoring output on Monday night. He now sits at 1,904 points.
• American shot 26-of-31 from the free-throw line, good for 83.9 percent. The Eagles also converted on 19-of-21 from the charity stripe in the second half. 
• The AU bench outscored Lehigh's, 27-8. American is now 8-3 (6-1 in PL play) when their bench outperforms their opponent's. 

QUOTES

Yilret Yiljep on getting his first career double-double:

• "It feels great, man. It makes coming back all worth it. I've been working on my body for the past year and a half trying to get back in shape and this makes it all worth it. I'm really happy we got the win, most importantly."

Stacy Beckton Jr. on holding Lehigh to 56 points, the lowest an opponent has scored against American this season

• "We locked in mentally yesterday. It wasn't a hard practice, but everyone was mentally dialed in. We focused on the mistakes we made against Lehigh the first time and that focus showed up today." 

Sa'eed Nelson on what YY means to this team

• "The impact YY makes when he comes in is just explosive. Everybody notices it. The bench, the crowd, I definitely notice it. It's just a great energy boost to have coming off the bench. He's been working all year. He's been working on his free throws, both me and him have been, and I'm just glad to have him for this last season."

UP NEXT

• The Eagles have a brief hiatus before resuming action on the road against Lafayette on Saturday. 
• Tip-off in Easton, Pa., is set for 2 p.m.

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET INFO

• The next home men's basketball game in Bender Arena will be Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 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).