WASHINGTON – In the first of three road contests against nearby opponents in November and December, American University men's basketball will head to George Mason for a 4 p.m. game on Sunday, November 13. The Eagles (0-1) are looking for the first win, while Mason (1-1) started with a loss at #15 Auburn but defeated Longwood on Friday.
QUICK INFO
- Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 13, 4:00 PM
- Site: Fairfax, Va. (EagleBank Arena)
- Series History: Mason leads, 33-11
- TV: ESPN+
- Talent: Bill Rohland (pxp)
INSIDE THE SERIES
- George Mason has won 15 of the last 16 games in the series with AU's last victory coming on Nov. 9, 2018 (78-75) at EagleBank Arena.
- Last year's meeting was also on the road for the Eagles. who lost 67-44 on Dec. 21.
- The two foes battled as members of the CAA from 1985-2000 and the teams have battled seven times in non-conference action since then.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- The Eagles began the season with a 73-69 road loss at Marist. It was a tight game with 13 ties and 18 lead changes, but the Red Foxes closed out the game with an 8-3 run in the final five minutes.
- American is coming off a 10-22 season that saw the Eagles advance to the Patriot League Quarterfinals with a first-round win over Holy Cross.
- The Eagles return all but one regular starter from last year. The loss is a big one, as Stacy Beckton Jr. led the team with 13.6 points per game and was named to the All-Patriot League Third Team.
- AU's leading returning scorer is junior Colin Smalls, who scored 10.7 points per game in 2021-22.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT GEORGE MASON
- The Patriots began the season on the road on Nov. 7, dropping a 70-52 contest at #15 Auburn. Junior guard Ronald Polite III led Mason in points (10) and assists (4).
- Mason opened its home slate with an 83-69 win over Longwood on Friday night, and the Patriots are now 11-4 (.733) in Fairfax under head coach Kim English.
- Graduate student Victor Bailey Jr. added nine points and five rebounds in his Mason debut, while senior Josh Oduro chipped in eight points and four rebounds.
- Mason went 10-4 at home last season, marking the program's best home winning percentage since 2011-12.
- The Patriots are picked fifth out of 15 teams in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. That is tied for Mason's top preseason ranking since joining the league in 2013-14.
- The Patriots made a school record 280 3-pointers in 2021-22 and ranked 23rd nationally in 3pt FG made/game (9.3).
TICKETS FOR THE EAGLES' HOME OPENER ON NOVEMBER 16
- The Eagles will host their home opener in Bender Arena this Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. vs. William and Mary.
- Season tickets, mini-plans and individual game tickets in premium seating locations are still available via AUeagles.com/Tickets.
- The first 500 fans to arrive in Bender will receive a FREE schedule magnet courtesy of opening night Official Game Sponsor & Bender Arena concessionaire, Gregorio's Trattoria.
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