BOSTON -- After an exceptional first half, American University men's basketball couldn't close out a win over Boston University on Sunday afternoon inside Case Gymnasium, falling 64-60.

QUICK NOTABLES

• Sa'eed Nelson finished with 21 points and matched a career-high with eight steals. It's the second time this season he's reached eight steals, and as of press time, he is the only D-I men's player to have at least eight steals in two games this season. 
• Eight steals stands as the second-most steals in American single-game history. 
• American falls to 14-13 this season, including 10-6 in Patriot League play. 
• Connor Nelson matched a career-high with seven rebounds. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Boston made the first basket of the game, but American responded with an 11-4 run to take an 11-7 lead at the first media timeout. 
• A 12-0 run over a 3:37 stretch in the middle of the half put the Eagles on top, 33-17, with 6:12 remaining in the half. 
• The American lead stretched to 18 twice in the final three minutes, but AU headed into the locker room with a 40-26 advantage after two late Boston buckets.
• American hit 6-of-9 from three-point range in the first half and also outrebounded Boston, 20-9, in the first 20 minutes.
• Boston carried momentum into the second half and looked like a completely different team.
• A 15-4 run spanning both halves opened the second frame as the Terriers cut the lead to 44-39 with 12:14 to play.
• American couldn't buy a bucket, and a 12-2 run by Boston in the middle of the half put them on top, 51-49, and gave them their first lead since a 5-4 advantage with 17:11 to play in the first half. 
• Once the Terriers got on top, their lead stretched to as many as six points. 
• Sa'eed Nelson scored American's final seven points in the last three minutes to put the Eagles within a three, but a missed three-pointer with 13 seconds left killed any hopes of forcing overtime.

MILESTONE WATCH

• Sa'eed now stands at 2,055 career points, just two points away from becoming American's all-time leading scorer and breaking Russell "Boo" Bowers 39-year-old school record. 
• Looking at the Patriot League scoring list, Sa'eed moved into fourth place on Saturday night after passing Mike Muscala of Bucknell and Tim Kempton of Lehigh. 
• He has a chance to move up to third soon, as only 20 points separate Sa'eed from Tucker Neale of Colgate.
• Sa'eed now stands at 509 assists and passed Mike Sampson (1984-1988) to move into third place on AU's career assists list. 
• Sa'eed is only three steals away from passing Torey Thomas on the Patriot League all-time scoring list. 

UP NEXT

• The Eagles return to Bender Arena on Wednesday night to take on Lafayette. 
• Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET INFO

• The final regular-season home men's basketball game in Bender Arena will be Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. vs. Lafayette. 
• 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).