WASHINGTON – After 12 non-conference games, American University men's basketball is set to open the Patriot League portion of the schedule when it takes on Lehigh on New Year's Day at Bender Arena.  
 
QUICK INFO 

• Date/Time: Saturday, January 1, 4:00 p.m. 
• Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena) 
• Ticket Info: AUEagles.com/Tickets
• Series History: Lehigh leads, 29-27 
• TV: ESPN+
• Talent: Dan Laing (pxp) and Jimmy Patsos (color)

UPDATED COVID PROTOCOLS FOR BENDER ARENA

• In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in our region, American University Athletics is announcing increased safety measures for events at Bender Arena
• Concessions: Due to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, concessions will temporarily not be available to patrons for home events at Bender.
• Eagles Club Hospitality Suite: Due to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, there will be a temporary pause on all Eagles Club Hospitality operations for men's and women's basketball games.
• These measures are in addition to the ones already in place, which include all patrons wearing masks at all times while inside Bender Arena, and proof of vaccination required prior to entering the gym.

BENDER ARENA PARKING ADVISORY

• All those attending events at Bender Arena through January 14, with the exception of commencement on Dec. 18-19, should be prepared to use alternate parking on campus in the Katzen Arts Center on Massachusetts Avenue or the School of International Service (SIS) on Nebraska Avenue.
• The 5th through 7th (roof) levels of the Bender Arena Garage are currently blocked for all vehicular traffic due to repairs. These floors will not be accessible for pedestrian or vehicular traffic during the project.
• Parking in all general areas on campus is free after 5 p.m. and on weekends.
• Find a detailed campus map here.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Due to the Patriot League's emphasis on regional divisions a season ago, these two programs haven't met since January 2020.
• The Eagles snapped a 10-game losing streak in the series with a resounding 77-56 win over the Mountain Hawks in Bender Arena on Jan. 27, 2020.
• YY Yiljep had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Stacy Beckton Jr. went a career-best 9-of-9 from the free-throw line in the victory.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN

• American begins Patriot League play after last taking the court against George Mason on Dec. 21. The Eagles were forced to cancel Tuesday's game against Siena due to health and safety protocols within the AU program.
• Beckton Jr. is on milestone watch during his fifth season as an Eagle. After taking the court against Mason, he has now played in 100 career games. He is 61 points away from becoming the 33rd player to reach 1,000 career points. He currently has 90 career blocks, which ranks ninth in program history. He is two swats away from moving into eighth place on AU's all-time career blocks list and 11 away from being the sixth Eagle with 100 career blocks.
• Johnny O'Neil led the Eagles with 15 points and seven rebounds against the Patriots. He leads the team in rebounding (4.8) and ranks second in scoring (10.1). He is also the most consistent deep threat, hitting 39 percent (23-of-59) from beyond the arc.
• Matt Rogers missed the last game against Mason due to injury and his absence in the paint was felt. He leads the Patriot League and is tied for the program record for field goal percentage, shooting 65.8 percent this season. The sophomore averages 10 ppg and exploded for 30 against Howard earlier this month.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LEHIGH

• Lehigh closes 2021 and begins the New Year with a busy stretch. The game against American will be the third in four days for the Mountain Hawks after playing Maryland (L, 76-55) and Eastern (W, 70-63) earlier this week.
• Keith Higgins Jr. and Evan Taylor both scored a career-high 18 points in the win over Eastern on Wednesday.
• Jeameril Wilson ranks third in the conference by shooting 57.6 percent from the field and averages 12 points per game. Taylor leads the squad with 12.3 ppg. Preseason All-PL selection Marques Wilson averages 10.8 ppg but has been out since the first week of December. 

TICKET INFO

• Tickets to this game and all remaining AU Men's Basketball home games are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.
• AU Athletics asks that you consider pre-purchasing digital tickets prior to arriving on campus. The ticket office is transitioning to contactless tickets so that we may offer the safest and most effective way to minimize contact upon entry.
• Digital tickets also give fans more control in the management of tickets including the ability to forward/share ticket(s) with friends and family. You may either present digital tickets on a smart phone device or download and pre-print ticket(s) at home with a valid QR code.
• Thank you for your help and cooperation in advancing contactless ticketing for the health and safety of our entire AU community.

HOW TO WATCH ESPN+ 

• A subscription to ESPN+ is available for purchase via ESPN.com, ESPNPlus.com, or the ESPN App. Fans can access ESPN+ content only after they have subscribed. To subscribe, click here. It costs $6.99/month or $69.99/year. 

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).