WASHINGTON – American University men's basketball returns home to Bender Arena on Saturday afternoon to take on Patriot League leader, Colgate.
 
QUICK INFO 

• Date/Time: Saturday, February 5, 4:00 p.m. 
• Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena) 
• Ticket Info: AUEagles.com/Tickets
• Series History: AU leads, 31-14 
• TV: ESPN+
• Talent: Dan Laing (pxp) and Jimmy Patsos (color)

UPDATED COVID PROTOCOLS FOR BENDER ARENA

• In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in our region, American University Athletics is announcing increased safety measures for events at Bender Arena.
• Concessions: Due to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, concessions will temporarily not be available to patrons for home events at Bender.
• Eagles Club Hospitality Suite: Due to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, there will be a temporary pause on all Eagles Club Hospitality operations for men's and women's basketball games.
• These measures are in addition to the ones already in place, which include all patrons wearing masks at all times while inside Bender Arena, and proof of vaccination required prior to entering the gym.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Due to the Patriot League's emphasis on regional mini-conferences last season, these two programs haven't met since January 2020.
• Colgate has won seven straight meetings in the series.
• AU last topped the Raiders on Jan. 2, 2017, a 67-64 overtime win on the road.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN

• American returns home on Saturday to break up a stretch that features five out of six games on the road. Last time out, the Eagles fell to Lafayette on Wednesday, 71-62.
• Despite the loss, two rookies played significant minutes for the Eagles and were ready for the challenge. Elijah Stephens earned his third career start with Connor Nelson out and scored 10 points. Matt Delaney was perfect from the field (6-of-6 FGs), scoring a career-high 13 points.
• Stacy Beckton Jr. is creeping up the all-time scoring list, now sitting at No. 31. Based on his scoring average, he has a chance to move as high as No. 26 by the end of the season. Additionally, he currently has 92 career blocks, which ranks eighth in program history. He is two swats away from moving into seventh place on AU's all-time career blocks list and eight away from being the sixth Eagle with 100 career blocks.
• Colin Smalls has been consistently performing since Patriot League play began last month. He averages 11.4 points per game in conference action and is shooting 50.0 percent (7-of-14) from beyond the arc. He has scored at least 16 points three times, including two out of the last three games.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT COLGATE

• Colgate sits at the top of the Patriot League standings with a 6-2 mark after an 83-69 home victory over Bucknell on Wednesday. Colgate overcame an early 16-point deficit to overwhelm the Bison.
• Due to some games being rescheduled, Colgate will play three games a week for the entire month of February. The Raiders topped both Lafayette and Bucknell this week to begin the stretch run.
• Colgate boasts arguably the best offense in the conference, leading the PL in scoring (74.5 ppg), field goal percentage (45.3), and 3-point FG percentage (39.4).
• Four Raiders are scoring in double-figures, led by Nelly Cummings (15.4). Jack Ferguson (12.2), Tucker Richardson (11.2), and Ryan Moffatt (10.4) round out the scoring leaders for Colgate.
• Keegan Records is an effective big for Colgate, scoring 8.7 points per game and grabbing 5.6 rebounds per game. He ranks second in the conference by shooting 57.8 percent from the field.

LAST CALL FOR FEBRUARY 4-PACK TICKET MINI-PLANS

• This February don't miss any of the action on the hardwood inside Bender during the stretch run of Patriot League play by purchasing AU Basketball's February 4-Pack Ticket Mini-Plans!
• Starting at just $30, you receive a ticket to all four February men's home games. This is your last chance to purchase this special, limited-time, money-saving offer at AUEagles.com/Tickets.

AU HOOP TALK WITH COACH BRENNAN, PRESENTED BY 1757 GOLF CLUB

• Check out and watch the newest episode of AU Hoop Talk with Coach Brennan presented by 1757 Golf Club by clicking here.
• In this week's episode, Coach Brennan reflects on the career that Stacy Beckton Jr. has had over the last five years to become the 33rd member of AU's 1,000-point club.
• All prior show episodes from this season can also be seen archived here.

HOW TO WATCH ESPN+ 

• A subscription to ESPN+ is available for purchase via ESPN.com, ESPNPlus.com, or the ESPN App. Fans can access ESPN+ content only after they have subscribed. To subscribe, click here. It costs $6.99/month or $69.99/year. 

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).