WASHINGTON – The American University men's basketball team returns to action after a week-long holiday break with a road trip to UMBC on Friday, Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m. It's the final game of four consecutive road contests for the Eagles leading into Patriot League play.

Quick Info

• Date/Time: Friday, December 29; 7:30 p.m.
• Site: Baltimore, Md. (Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena)
• TV: ESPN+
• Talent: Gary Stein, Rick Moreland

Inside the Series

• There are 12 games on record between American and UMBC, with American leading 8-4.
• American has won four out of the last five contests and four out of six road games in series history.
• The last time the two teams met, UMBC defeated AU in Baltimore, 98-67, during the 2021-22 season.

What to Know About American

• American earned its first road win of the season in a 77-69 victory at VMI on Dec. 9. The Eagles were undefeated at home before having their streak snapped with a 75-73 loss to Saint Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 2. Friday's contest at UMBC marks the last of four straight road games for AU—all non-conference—before the Eagles start Patriot League play at home on Jan. 3.
• Senior Matt Rogers leads AU and ranks third in the PL with 15.8 points per game, adding 6.7 rebounds per game. He has recorded two double-doubles this season, and his field goal percentage of .508 leads AU and ranks third in the PL.
• In the absence of Rogers, sophomore Jermaine Ballisager Webb earned his first career start at Virginia Tech on Dec. 21. In 25 minutes, Ballisager Webb recorded a career-high 15 points, adding six rebounds, an assist and a steal. 
• On Nov. 26 against Hood College, AU scored its most points in a single game in 28 years, winning 103-74. AU made a program-record 19 three-pointers, with sophomore Geoff Sprouse hitting seven of those. Sprouse ranks fifth in the PL with 2.3 3-pt FG per game.
• First-year head coach Duane Simpkins has five career victories and has brought a new energy to the program. The Eagles run a faster offense and so far are averaging 7.2 more points per game than in 2022-23, as well as making 3.1 more 3-point field goals per game.

What to Know About UMBC

• UMBC enters Friday's game with a 5-9 record. The Retrievers have lost four games in a row in contests against Morgan State (92-80, Dec. 6), Towson (89-73, Dec. 9), Saint Peter's (66-60, Dec. 12) and Iowa (103-81, Dec. 20).
• American will be UMBC's third Patriot League opponent this season. The Retrievers have wins against Lehigh (92-87) and Loyola Maryland (94-79).
• The Retrievers enter the game with the shortest offensive possession length in the country, averaging 13.7 seconds per possession. They are in the bottom six nationally in scoring defense, allowing 83.8 points per game.
• UMBC has four players averaging double figures in scoring: Dion Brown (16.9), Khydarius Smith (13.6), Marcus Banks Jr. (10.5) and Bryce Johnson (10.0).
• Jim Ferry is in his 23rd season as a collegiate head coach and his third at UMBC. Ferry has led the Retrievers to consecutive 18-4 records as well as an appearance in the American East finals in the 2021-22 season.

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).