WASHINGTON, D.C. --  It was a night of runs in Bender Arena, with the Howard University Bison falling short, 86-69 to the American University Eagles.

Charles 'CJ' Williams (Richmond, Va.) inched closer to Howard's all-time scoring record, recording 21 points, his fifth-straight double-figure performance, his fourth 20+ performance of the season.

Wayne Bristol Jr. (Upper Marlboro, Md.) recorded a career night, hitting a season five three-pointers, for 25 points also a season high. Zion Cousins (Upper Marlboro, Md.) brought down a team high nine rebounds.

American (2-3) began the game on a 7-1 run when Wayne Bristol Jr. (Upper Marlboro, Md.) knocked down a back-to-back three-pointer, to stop the bleeding and tie the game, 7-7 three-minutes into the contest.

Howard (0-8) took the lead, 9-8 on a Williams shot from beyond the arc. The Eagles answered with a 9-6 run to take the lead, 18-13 at the 12:12 mark.

American built a 46-34 lead going into intermission.

Howard was able to string a 10-3 run, thanks to eight fast-break points to close the scoring gap, 49-44 with 17:38 remaining in regulation.

The Eagles and the Bison traded baskets over the next five minutes before American broke the game open to a 75-60 point lead with four-minute left into intermission.

American cruised to an 86-69 victory.

Howard lost the turnover battle 15-9 and the Eagles held a 58 percent (18-of-31 from the floor) to Howard's 42 percent (12-of-28) shooting advantage.

American outscored Howard in the paint (56-24), second chance (12-6),  fast break (13-10),  and bench (21-10).

Next up:  Howard returns home for a 4 p.m. tilt versus Mount St. Mary's before concluding their last non-conference road game of the season versus Hampton University, December 5.