WASHINGTON – Coming off a tough road loss to Boston U. on Wednesday, American University men's basketball (15-9, 7-6 PL) is looking to head back into the win column as the Holy Cross Crusaders (8-18, 5-8 PL) come to Bender on Saturday. The Crusaders enter the weekend matchup dropping their last two games and holding a 5-8 league record. The Eagles won the first matchup earlier this season in Worcester, 73-68, in overtime.
QUICK FACTS
- Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 11; 2:00 PM
- Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
- Series History: American leads, 27-22
- TV: ESPN+
- Talent: Dan Laing and Gordon Austin
INSIDE THE SERIES
- American leads the all-time series, 27-22, and are winners of the last eight games against Holy Cross.
- American's last win over Holy Cross in Washington, D.C. was Jan. 26, 2022 by an 81-69 final. The Eagles were led by Colin Smalls and Josh Alexander with 16 points each.
- The Eagles defeated the Crusaders in the first meeting of the season between the two squads, 73-68, in overtime in Worcester. Sophomore Elijah Stephens led American with 21 points and a three-pointer by freshman Geoff Sprouse sent the game into overtime to lead to American's eventual overtime victory. The game has been American's only overtime game so far this season.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- American enters Saturday's game with a 7-6 mark in Patriot League play.
- The Eagles are coming off a tough 60-45 road loss to Boston U. Junior Matt Rogers led American with 14 points, while junior Colin Smalls also scored in double figures with 13 points.
- Junior Johnny O'Neil and junior Matt Rogers lead the Eagles in scoring, both averaging in double figures. Rogers leads the way with 12.9 points per game and O'Neil is right behind him with 10.5 points per game. Rogers is tied for ninth in the league in scoring
- O'Neil leads the Patriot League in blocks (1.6 per game) and as a team, the Eagles lead the league in blocks (3.92 per game).
- American currently sits in fourth in the league standings.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOLY CROSS
- Holy Cross enters Saturday's game with an 8-18 overall record and a 5-8 mark in Patriot League play. The Crusaders have dropped their last two games.
- The Crusaders are coming off a 72-58 loss to Lafayette on Monday night. Freshman Will Batchelder led all scorers in the game with a career-high 28 points. Batchelder's eight made three-point baskets broke the school record for the most three-pointers in a single game.
- Senior Gerrale Gates leads Holy Cross in scoring (16.5 points per game), rebounds (9.0 per game), assists (2.7 per game), blocks (1.2 per game), and steals (1.6 per game).
- The Crusaders are led by Brett Nelson in his fourth season at the head of the program
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
- Saturday's game will be the Eagles' Black History Month celebration game. The student-athletes will wear "Celebrate Black History" t-shirts for pregame warmups and the first 50 students in attendance will receive a free t-shirt.
- The AU Gospel Choir is scheduled to sing the national anthem and a winter clothing drive will be managed by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Society, Incorporated Lambda Zeta Chapter to benefit the National Coalition for Homeless. The first 100 students to donate will receive a free insomnia cookie.
- An on-court presentation during a break in the game will recognize leaders from AU's Black Alumni Alliance affinity group, Black faculty, Black staff, and BSA student groups. There will be a halftime performance given by AU's African American dance troupe Les Couers D'Afrique, an on-court appearance by many of AU's African American student groups, clubs and organizations, as well as the Black National Anthem, "Life Every Voice and Sing" will be played followed by the AU Gospel Choir singing The Star Spangled Banner.
- The AU Athletics social media accounts will feature additional content during Black History Month, highlighting favorite quotes, role models and traditions of members of the AU Black Athlete Coalition, department staff and alumni.
TICKETS
- Season tickets, mini-plans and individual game tickets for home games in Bender Arena in premium seating locations are still at AUeagles.com/Tickets.
- AU students are admitted FREE with a valid undergraduate, graduate, or WCL ID.
KEEP UP WITH US
