WASHINGTON – Coming off two big wins on the road, American University men's basketball (7-2) returns to Bender Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 13 for a 6 p.m. test against Virginia Military Institute (5-6). The Eagles are coming off a win over local DC rival George Washington University and are looking to stay hot and pick up their eighth win of the season.
 
QUICK INFO

• Date/Time: Tuesday, December 13; 6 p.m.
• Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
• Series History: American leads, 3-1
• TV: ESPN+
• Talent: Dan Laing and Gordon Austin  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• American leads the all-time series, 3-1.
• The Eagles have won the last two meetings with the Keydets, most recently picking up a 74-64 win during the 2018-19 season in Richmond, Va.
• The last meeting in DC was on Nov. 25, 2017. American won that meeting by a five-point margin, 69-64.
• The two sides met twice prior to 2017, once in 1930-31 and once in 1933-34. American won the first-ever meeting in 1930-31 while VMI won in 1933-34. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN

• American enters Tuesday's game with a 7-2 overall record and are off to the program's best start since 2011.
•  The Eagles are coming off a big win over local DC rival George Washington on Saturday, 64-61. They were led by junior Johnny O'Neil with 19 points and six rebounds.
• The win marked the first time since 1974-75 that American has beaten Georgetown and George Washington in the same season. 
• Sophomore Elijah Stephens has 24 steals so far this season, putting him in second in the Patriot League. His 2.7 steals per game puts him first in the league in steals per game. 
• As a team, the Eagles have shot 50 percent or better in their last three games for the first time since 2018-19. Their 48.9 percent field goal percentage lands them 34th overall in Division 1.
• Up next, the Eagles are set to host Siena on Dec. 22 to close out non-conference action. They are set to start Patriot League play on Dec. 30 at Lafayette.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT VMI

• VMI enters Tuesday's game with a 5-6 overall record and is coming off a 77-74 win over Radford University. Five Keydets scored in double figures in the win, led by senior Sean Conway with a game-high 23 points.
• The Keydets are riding a three-game win streak. 
• Conway leads VMI in scoring and rebounds so far this season. He is totaling a team-high 15.9 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game.
• As a team, VMI is 17th in the nation in three-point percentage (39.9 percent) and third in the nation in three-pointers per game (11.8). The Keydets are first in the SoCon in three-point percentage and second in the SoCon in threes per game. 

WINNING WAYS

• The Eagles are in the midst of a seven-game win streak, the longest for the program since the 2013-14 season. The 7-2 start is also the best for the program since the 2011-12 team won eight straight games after starting out with two losses.
• That season, the Eagles had an 11-game win streak and won the Patriot League Championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament.

AU BASKETBALL "HOLIDAY 3-PACK TICKET MINI-PLANS – ON SALE NOW

• This holiday season treat yourself or give the gift of AU Hoops by purchasing AU Basketball Holiday 3-Pack Ticket Mini-Plans!  For just $48 the men's team, and just $18 for the women's team, you'll get a sideline ticket to any 3 remaining home men's or women's games of your choice.  Shopping for AU alumni and Eagle fans on your holiday list has never been easier.  Purchase now through Dec. 30 at AUeagles.com/Tickets.
• Season tickets, mini-plans and individual game tickets in premium seating locations are still at AUeagles.com/Tickets. 

GIVE TO THE EAGLES CLUB AND RECEIVE A HOLIDAY ORNAMENT!

• Make a minimum $25 gift to the AU Athletics Fund(s) of your choice, and receive a custom-made AU Athletics Holiday Ornament, while supplies last!
• Your gift allows us to ensure the most supportive athletic, academic, leadership, and character development programming for 267 AU student-athletes.
• It also provides the necessary resources for our coaches and teams to compete at the highest level in today's ever-challenging intercollegiate athletics environment.

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).