WASHINGTON, DC – American shot 58% from the field in the second half including 7-11 from three to defeat Siena Basketball 78-58 at Bender Arena.
 
Preseason All-Patriot League selection Matt Rogers scored a game-high 19 points for American (1-2) which captured its home-opener for new head coach Duane Simpkins. Reserve Geoff Sprouse added 16 points including four threes for the Eagles, while Matt Mayock chipped in 12 points.
 
Sophomore point guard Zek Tekin scored a career-high 18 points and also drew nine fouls for Siena (1-2), which was without reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year and Preseason Second Team All-MAAC selection Michael Eley (ankle) for the second straight game. Classmate Mason Courtney also added a career-high 10 points on 4-6 shooting off the bench for the Saints, who shot 47% from the field but just 8-18 from the free throw line.
 
Siena made its first four shots to open the game on their way to building an early 15-9 lead at the 13:24 mark. But American responded with the next six points to kickstart an 18-8 run and take a lead they would not relinquish. The Eagles capped the half by scoring the final six points to take a 35-27 lead at the break.
 
American ultimately bridged the halves with a 15-4 spurt to take control at 44-31 with 16:29 remaining. The Eagles continued to slowly increase their advantage from there.
 
Freshman Michael Evbagharu chipped in his first six collegiate points and five rebounds in 13 spirited minutes off the bench for the Saints, which received 27 points from their reserves.
 
American turned Siena over 19 times, swiping 12 steals.
 
The Saints will now have a full week to prepare for their second straight Thanksgiving Week MTE in the Sunshine State. Siena returns to action when they take on Central Michigan in the Sunshine Slam in a Monday matinee at 11:30 a.m. in Daytona Beach, Florida.