WASHINGTON – American University men's basketball heads to Lafayette College on Friday, Dec. 30 to take on the Leopards in the season's Patriot League opener at 7 p.m. American is coming off its first loss since Nov. 13, falling to Siena last Thursday. The Leopards are coming off a win over La Salle to close out non-conference action and enter Patriot League play.
QUICK INFO
- Date/Time: Friday, December 30; 7 p.m.
- Site: Easton, Pa. (Kirby Sports Center)
- Series History: American leads, 38-29
- TV: ESPN+
- Talent: Gary Laubach and John Leone
INSIDE THE SERIES
- American leads the all-time series, 38-29.
- The Eagles lead at home, 19-10, while the Leopards lead in Easton, 17-15.
- The last meeting between the two teams was Feb. 2, 2022 in Easton, Pa. Lafayette won that meeting 71-62. Colin Smalls led the way for American with 16 points while Neal Quinn led the way for Lafayette with a game-high 22 points.
- American's last win over Lafayette came on Feb. 26, 2020 in Bender Arena by a 79-59 final score.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- American enters Friday's Patriot League opener with an 8-3 record and is coming off a 64-61 loss to Siena. Junior Matt Rogers led American with 14 points while junior Johnny O'Neil also finished in double figure scoring with 13 points.
- Rogers leads American in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game, O'Neil leads the team in rebounds with 5.6 per game and blocks with 1.8 per game, and Stephens leads in assists with 4.4 per game and steals with 2.3 per game.
- The Eagles lead the league in scoring defense, allowing just 63.6 points per game. They are second in the league in team field goal percentage with 49.1 percent and in team free throw percentage with 72.6 percent.
- For the third-straight week, American received votes in the College Insider Men's Mid Major Top-25 poll.
- American is set to open its Patriot League home slate on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 at 2 p.m., hosting Loyola Maryland.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LAFAYETTE
- Lafayette is led by head coach Mike Jordan in his first season at the head of the program.
- The Leopards enter Patriot League play with a 2-11 record and are coming off a 90-65 win over La Salle. Sophomore CJ Fulton led the Leopards with 20 points while junior Ryan Zambie led in rebounds with six.
- Senior Leo O'Boyle leads Lafayette in scoring with 12.6 points per game, Fulton leads in rebounding with 5.5 per game, assists with 4.4 per game, steals with 1.8 per game, and junior Kyle Jenkins and sophomore Justin Vander Baan lead in blocks with 0.7 per game.
- Fulton was named the Patriot League Player of the Week on Dec. 26 after scoring a career-high 20 points in the Leopards' win over La Salle.
- Lafayette leads the Patriot League in three-point field goals made, averaging 9.7 per game.
EAGLES AT THE TOP
- The Eagles' 73 percent three-point shooting in their game vs. UAlbany is the highest three-point percentage by a PL team in a single game this season. Their overall percentage in that game of 71 percent is also in the lead by a wide margin.
- The Eagles' nine blocks vs. William & Mary is the most in the PL in a single game.
- American's 14 three-pointers made in it's game against VMI is tied for fourth in the league.
- The Eagles' 14 steals at Georgetown is tied for second for the most steals in a single game so far this season.
NEARING 500
- Both juniors Matt Rogers and Johnny O'Neil are nearing 500 career points.
- Rogers has 465 career points and needs 35 more points to eclipse the 500 point mark.
- O'Neil has 464 and needs 36 more to hit the 500 point milestone.
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