WORCESTER, Mass. – American University men's basketball dug deep in the final eight minutes to close out a red-hot Holy Cross squad on Monday night at the Hart Center, winning 60-54 over the Crusaders who entered the game winning five of their last six.

QUICK NOTABLES

• Colin Smalls finished with 19 points and went 10-of-12 from the charity stripe. He is the first Eagle to make at least 10 free throws since Sa'eed Nelson hit 12 against Navy on Jan. 9, 2019.
• Matt Rogers battled all night against star center Gerrale Gates and finished the night with 20 points and eight rebounds.  
• Elijah Stephens had a career-high four steals on the night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game started sloppy for both teams as AU held a slim 7-6 lead after eight minutes of action.
• The Eagles defense locked down in the middle part of the quarter, holding Holy Cross scoreless for a nine-minute, 11-second stretch. AU managed a 14-0 run in the process to take an 18-6 lead with 7:10 remaining in the frame.
• American went into the locker room with a 26-14 lead.
• Holy Cross responded right away in the second half, putting together a 9-0 run to get within three points at 30-27 with 13:42 left.
• The Crusaders jumped ahead 38-37 on a 3-pointer from Bo Montgomery with 7:32 to play.
• It was gut-check time for the Eagles and they countered with an 11-4 run that was punctuated by a 3-point play from Smalls to take a seven-point lead with 4:14 remaining.
• Holy Cross drained a triple with 1:46 remaining to get within three points but AU went 6-of-8 from the line in the final minute to clinch the win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• American held a 32-26 advantage for points in the paint.
• The Eagles battled for offensive rebounds all night, finishing with a 17-10 advantage in second chance points.
• In the first half, AU held Holy Cross to 18.5 percent shooting and just 14 points.
• American has now won six straight meetings in the series dating back to Feb. 21, 2018.

UP NEXT

• The Eagles will return to Bender Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 16 against Navy for the 8th Annual Sustainability Awareness Game. Tip-off is set for 7 PM.
• Tickets to this game and all remaining AU Men's Basketball home games are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.

SUSTAINABILITY NIGHT INFO

• This year's event will focus on how the AU community can reduce waste, specifically food waste. 
• Attendees will be able to engage with numerous environmental student organizations and a bicycle will be given away to a random student in attendance.
• Other sustainability initiatives at the game include:
  • Zero Waste students on hand to help fans sort their waste into either compost, recycling, or landfill trash bins.
  • A zero waste-themed student 'bottle-bowling' competition on the court.
  • Recognition of AU's student Compost Crew and Zero Waste Office.
• Attendees will support the Eagles as well as spotlight AU's environmental goals and accomplishments.
• The matchup is planned each year by AU Athletics, Facilities Management's Energy & Engineering and Grounds teams, and the Office of Sustainability.

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).