PITTSBURGH – American University men's basketball led for almost the entire first half against Atlantic 10 foe Duquesne on Sunday afternoon at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, but the Dukes proved too strong in the second half, emerging victorious 88-79 over the Eagles.   

QUICK NOTABLES

• Colin Smalls had the best game of his career, scoring a career-high 22 points on 10-of-12 from the field. He also added a career-high seven assists and a steal.
• Stacy Beckton Jr. battled foul trouble all game and still managed 17 points, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
• American had its best FG percentage (55 percent) and 3-point FG percentage (50 percent) of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Duquesne jumped out to a 3-0 lead after winning the tip but American responded with a 7-0 run featuring five points from Beckton to take an early lead.
• A 12-4 run capped off by a Beckton 3-pointer gave AU a 19-11 lead with 12:25 remaining in the first half.
• The Eagles would push their lead to eight points on three other occasions, including on a hook shot by Smalls with 5:48 left in the half.
• American called a timeout with 1:59 left in the half holding a 36-29 lead but the Dukes closed the half on a 9-1 run to take a 38-37 lead into the locker room. It was the Dukes' first lead since the early minutes of the game.
• The Duquesne scoring run carried over into the second half, stretching to 14-1 as the Dukes led 43-37 with 18:38 to play.
• A triple from Smalls stopped the Duquesne run.
• Matt Rogers scored on a hook shot with 16:04 to play to put the Eagles within two points at 46-44.
• A 10-2 run by the Dukes gave them a 53-44 lead with 13:50 left and they never really looked back, stretching it to as many as 12 points.
• The Eagles made it interesting in the final four minutes as Lorenzo Donadio drained a 3-pointer with 3:58 to play that cut the Duquesne lead to six at 69-63.
• Beckton played with four fouls for over four minutes late in the second half before fouling out with 2:19 left.
• Duquesne went 15-of-16 from the free-throw line in the final two minutes to ice the win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• American was whistled for 17 fouls compared to seven for Duquesne prior to extending the game in the final two minutes. The final tally was 23-7.
• After struggling to shoot in the first half, Matt Rogers went 6-of-7 from the field in the second half, finishing with 12 points. It's his third straight double-digit scoring performance.
• American matched a season-high with 17 assists. Those assists came on 33 made field goals, which was also a season-high.

UP NEXT

• American returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at Stony Brook.
• Tip-off on Long Island is set for 7 PM at Island Federal Arena.
• The Eagles will return to Bender Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 8 against Saint Francis (PA).

HOLIDAY 3-PACK TICKET PLAN NOW AVAILABLE

• This holiday season treat yourself or give the gift of AU Hoops by purchasing AU Basketball's "Holiday 3-Pack" Ticket Mini-Plans! 
• Just $20 for women's, and $50 for men's basketball, you get a sideline ticket to any 3 women's or 3 men's games of your choice from any home games this December or January.
• Shopping for Eagle fans on your holiday list has never been easier. Purchase this money saving special limited time offer now through Dec. 24 at AUeagles.com/Tickets!

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