EASTON, Pa. - Sa'eed Nelson moved into fourth place on American's all-time scoring list and Stacy Beckton Jr. matched his career-high with 18 points, but American University men's basketball (10-11, 6-4 PL) let a second-half lead evaporate down the stretch in a loss to Lafayette (14-7, 6-4 PL) on Saturday afternoon. 

QUICK NOTABLES

• With an 18-point performance, Sa'eed Nelson passed Frank Ross for fourth on AU's all-time scoring list. Sa'eed now has 1,922 career points.
• With five rebounds, Sa'eed also became the 29th member of the 500-rebound club at American. 
• Beckton Jr. had 18 points, which matched a career-high set against Lafayette on Jan. 19, 2019. 
• Connor Nelson had four steals, which set a new career-high. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lafayette won the tip and sank a three-pointer 10 seconds into the game. 
• American scored the next two baskets to take a 5-3 lead with 17:26 remaining in the half. 
• The rest of the half proved to be streaky as both teams traded momentum and scoring runs. 
• An 8-0 run by Lafayette to take an 11-5 advantage was answered with an 8-0 run by American, punctuated by a three-pointer from the logo by Connor Nelson as the shot clock expired to take a 13-11 lead with 13:34 left. 
• The Leopards took their largest lead of the half at 33-20 with 4:32 remaining in the half.
• American closed out the half on a 12-2 run and trailed at the intermission, 35-32. 
• The beginning of the second half was all American, as the Eagles used a 14-0 run to take a 48-39 lead with 14:04 left in the game. 
• Sa'eed Nelson went up-and-under for a crafty layup to give AU it's largest lead of the game at 59-48 with 8:20 to play. 
• Lafayette found its groove in the final six minutes, cutting into the lead before getting on top for good with a Justin Jaworski layup with 3:06 left on the clock. 
• American was held scoreless over a four-minute stretch in crunch time, ultimately falling, 82-70. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• American was whistled for 22 fouls compared to just 11 for Lafayette.
• The Eagles shot 48 percent from the field, but only 15 percent from long-range. 
• Beckton Jr. has reached double-figures in scoring in five of his last six games. 

UP NEXT

• The Eagles are next in action on the road against Navy on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
• Tip-off in Annapolis, Md. is set for 7 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL "FEBRUARY 4-PACK" TICKET MINI-PLAN NOW ON SALE

• Be a part of the stretch run of Patriot League play and catch all four remaining men's home games in Bender Arena this February!  
• For just $68 you get a sideline ticket to the following games:  February 8 vs. Army, February 12 vs. Loyola, February 19 vs. Navy, & February 26 vs. Lafayette. 
• Purchase this special limited time offer at AUeagles.com/Tickets or call (202) 885-T-I-X-X by Friday February 7^th to reserve your Eagles Men's Basketball February 4-Pack today!

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET INFO

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