WASHINGTON – After over a week off, American University men's basketball (8-2) returns to action on Thursday, Dec. 22 for a 1 p.m. test against Siena (6-5, 1-0 MAAC) in Bender Arena to close out non-conference action. The Eagles are coming off their eighth straight win of the season in their last game, a 69-61 victory over VMI, and are in search of their ninth straight.
QUICK INFO
- Date/Time: Thursday, December 22; 1 p.m.
- Site: Washington, DC (Bender Arena)
- Series History: Siena leads, 5-2
- TV: ESPN+
- Talent: Dan Laing and Gordon Austin
INSIDE THE SERIES
- Siena leads the all-time series, 5-2.
- Thursday's matchup will be the first ever meeting between the two squads in DC. The Eagles and Saints were supposed to meet during the 2021-22 season in Bender but the game was canceled due to health and safety protocols.
- The last meeting between American and Siena was on Nov. 5, 2019 in Albany, N.Y. American dropped the meeting 96-80 to open up the 2019-20 season.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- American enters Thursday's game with an 8-2 overall record and are off to the program's best start since 2011.
- The Eagles are coming off a 69-61 win over VMI. Led by junior Matt Rogers with 20 points, three Eagles scored in double figures in the win.
- The Eagles received 39 votes in the College Inside Mid-Major Top 25 poll that was released on Dec. 19.
- Rogers was named the Patriot League Player of the Week on Dec. 19. He is the second Eagle to be named the league's Player of the Week and the third to receive a league weekly award this season, as junior Johnny O'Neil was named the league's Player of the Week on Dec. 12 and freshman Geoff Sprouse was named the league's Rookie of the Week on Nov. 28 and Dec. 5.
- Rogers leads American in scoring averaging 13.7 points per game, and in rebounds averaging 5.6 per game. Sophomore Elijah Stephens leads American in assists, averaging 4.4 per game.
- After Thursday's game, American will head to Easton, Pa., on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. to open up Patriot League play against Lafayette.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SIENA
- Siena enters Thursday's game with a 6-5 overall record and an 1-0 mark in MAAC play. The Saints are coming off a 76-70 win over St. Bonaventure on Dec. 19. Led by sophomore Javian McCollum with 23 points, four Saints scored in double figures in the win.
- Siena is led by Carmen Maciariello in his fourth season at the head of the program.
- McCollum leads Siena in points (17.3 per game), assists (4.3 per game), minutes played (33.3 per game), and is tied for the team lead in steals with freshman Michael Eley (1.1 per game).
- The Saints welcomed seven newcomers to this season's squad out of the 17 on the roster. Six of those newcomers are true freshmen.
- After Thursday's game Siena will return to conference play, traveling to Quinnipiac on Friday, Dec. 30.
WINNING WAYS
- The Eagles are in the midst of an eight-game win streak, the longest for the program since the 2011-12 season. The 8-2 start is tied for the program's best start 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.
- A win on Thursday would give American its ninth straight win and give the Eagles their best start through its eleven games since the 1980-81 season.
NEARING 500
- Both Rogers and junior Johnny O'Neil are nearing 500 career points. Both have 451 career points and need 49 more points to reach the 500 mark.
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.
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