WASHINGTON – After cutting a 16-point second-half deficit all the way down to two in the final minute, American University men's basketball came up just short in a tough loss at Bucknell, 68-66. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Eagles scored the opening bucket, but Bucknell answered with nine straight points and never trailed again in the contest.
• With just under five minutes remaining in the first half, the Bison took their largest lead of 17 points, 37-20.
• American responded to its largest deficit by scoring eight straight points to get back in the game, and trailed by just 11 at the break, 39-28.
• The Bison held on to their double-digit lead until just three minutes remained. With 6:20 on the clock, Bucknell still held a 15-point advantage.
• Stacy Beckton Jr. scored 11 second-half points with an outstanding performance at the free throw line that nearly single-handedly got the Eagles within single digits.
• Also in the comeback mix was Elijah Stephens with a layup and a pair of free throws, as well as Jaxon Knotek who also went 2-for-2 at the line.
• The Eagles held Bucknell scoreless for the final 3:55, but could get no closer than two. Beckton drained his second trey of the game with 45 seconds left, and it would prove to be the final bucket for either team.
• AU called timeout with possession and 14 seconds remaining, but the final shot, a three-point attempt from Stephens, bounced off the rim.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Beckton's team-high 18 points included his best free-throw shooting of the season as he went 8-for-8, just short of a career-high 9-for-9 on Jan. 27, 2020 vs. Lehigh.
• With five steals, Beckton set a career high and tied for second in a single game in the Patriot League this season. He also posted a season-high four assists, and did not commit a single turnover.
• Matt Rogers went 5-of-8 from the field and scored 12 points, getting eight of those in the first half. Rogers added a game-high eight rebounds.
• Also finishing in double figures in scoring was Knotek with 10.
• The Eagles' 17-of-21 performance at the line (81 percent) was among their best of the season, and they hit 15-of-17 in the second half.

UP NEXT

• American continues its three-game road trip on Saturday, February 12 at 1 p.m. at Boston University. 
• The Eagles will return to Bender Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 16 against Navy. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
• Tickets to that game and all remaining AU Men's Basketball home games can be purchased by clicking here.

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).