WASHINGTON – American University men's basketball will end an eight-game stretch away from Bender Arena with a short trip to take on Howard at Burr Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.    
 
QUICK INFO 

• Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 4, 5:30 PM
• Site: Washington, D.C. (Burr Gymnasium)
• Series History: AU leads, 17-5
• TV: Bison Live

INSIDE THE SERIES

• American has historically held an advantage over Howard, but that has not been the case lately. 
• The two programs have traded victories in the last seven meetings dating back to Nov. 29, 2011 with AU holding a 4-3 lead. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN

• American is looking for its first win since Nov. 12 when it makes the short trek to Howard. After going 2-0 to start the season, AU has dropped six straight, including four losses of 22 points or more.
• A mix of injuries and growing pains for the young core has proved to be a tough recipe for success in the first month of the season. Valuable contributors Christian Lorng and Ben Lubarsky have yet to suit up this season, while Connor Nelson and Josh Alexander have both missed games this season already. American has employed four different starting fives through eight games and four sophomores started on Wednesday against Stony Brook.
• Stacy Beckton Jr. is on milestone watch during his fifth season as an Eagle. He is 112 points away from becoming the 33rd player to reach 1,000 career points. After picking up three blocks against the Seawolves, he now has 88 career blocks. He is four swats away from moving into eighth place on AU's all-time career blocks list and 12 away from being the sixth Eagle with 100 career blocks.
• Matt Rogers and Lorenzo Donadio have been two of the players thrust into the starting lineup in the early going. On the offensive end, Rogers is shooting 60.9 percent and has scored 12 points in three of his last four games. Donadio, a 6-4 guard from Rome, Italy, fought for a career-high five rebounds in his first career start against Stony Brook on Wednesday.
• Johnny O'Neil is another sophomore gaining valuable experience in the starting lineup. He matched a career-high with eight rebounds against Stony Brook. The 2021 Patriot League Rookie of the Year is averaging nine points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOWARD

• Howard has lost two straight one-possession games to Mount St. Mary's and Austin Peay and sit at 4-4 overall.
• Elijah Hawkins leads the Bison with 14.7 points per game and a dazzling 7.4 assists per game, which leads the MEAC and ranks fourth nationally.
• Kyle Foster has been remarkable from beyond the arc, shooting 53.1 percent (26-of-49) from 3-point range through eight games. That ranks first in the conference and seventh nationally. He averages 13.9 points per game for the Bison.
• Steve Settle III was named to the MEAC Preseason Team after leading Howard in scoring last season. The Dematha Catholic grad averages 13.7 points per game and is shooting 58.5 percent from the field.

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!

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).