Stephen Lumpkins had 20 points and 10 rebounds, recording his 500th career board, as American University held off Holy Cross 60-57 on Saturday.
The Eagles (14-6, 4-1 Patriot League), who have won seven of their last eight, matched their best start through five games since joining the conference in 2001-02.
American overcame a six-point second-half deficit with 14:22 left. Tied at 43, the Eagles used a 9-2 run to lead 52-45 with 7:04 to go.
The Crusaders (4-15, 3-2) got to 57-55 on a Devin Brown jumper with 2:14 left, then Lumpkins scored on a layup.
After a Brown layup with 33 seconds to go made it 59-57, American's Steve Luptak hit the first of two foul shots. Andrew Beinert missed two free throws for Holy Cross with 9 seconds to go.
Vlad Moldoveanu added 14 points for the Eagles on 6-of-22 shooting.
Brown and Andrew Keister had 14 each for the Crusaders.
