Preview: Boston University at American

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — A pivotal late-season Patriot League men’s basketball matchup arrives at Bender Arena on Saturday as American hosts Boston University, with both teams looking to solidify their positioning before the conference tournament.

The Eagles (16-14 overall) enter with a slight edge in the standings over the visiting Terriers (14-16). American seeks to rebound from a 78-73 home loss to Lehigh on Wednesday, a game in which guard Greg Jones scored 23 points. Jones has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 13.4 points over his last eight games.

Boston University arrives riding momentum from a 78-63 victory over Holy Cross on Wednesday. The Terriers have won seven of their last nine games, a surge fueled by the standout play of forward Ben Defty. Over the last month, Defty has been a stat-sheet filler, averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. In the win over Holy Cross, he posted 20 points and four blocks.

The teams’ first meeting this season was a narrow 64-62 victory for American in Boston on Jan. 3, indicating another close contest is likely.

For American, balancing Jones’ scoring with contributions from players like Matt Mayock (15 points vs. Lehigh) will be key. The Eagles have shown resilience on their home floor, having won three of their last four at Bender Arena prior to the Lehigh defeat.

Boston University will rely on Defty’s versatile inside-out game and the backcourt support of Michael McNair, who also scored 20 points in the midweek win. The Terriers’ recent offensive output has been strong, scoring 78 or more points in five of their last seven victories.

Saturday’s result will carry significant weight for tournament seeding, adding intensity to an already tight conference rivalry. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST.