Dec. 22, 2007

Box Score

WASHINGTON - The American University women's basketball team fought back from a 14 point deficit early in the second half to tie the game with under two minutes remaining, but fell short in its comeback effort as Radford scored the game's final eight points to earn the "W", 58-50. Sahar Nusseibeh had a team-high 12 points and Michelle Kirk added nine, but in the end their individual efforts could not overcome the team's early mistakes.

"We grew as a team tonight and had players step up into new roles," Head Coach Melissa McFerrin said. "We are challenged with Pam [Stanfield] missing from our lineup but tonight we saw Sahar and Michelle both step in as scorers."

American and Radford traded the lead four times in the first half before the Highlanders began taking advantage of AU's mistakes to pull away. RU scored 15 points off turnovers in the period compared to just four points by American and took a 33-24 lead into the locker room at half.

Trailing by 12 with just under 10 minutes left on the clock, American began a methodical 14-2 run to even the score. While the Eagles spread the ball evenly throughout the eight minute stretch, five different players recorded points, it was the defense that got the ball rolling. Stephanie N'Garsanet ended two-consecutive RU possessions with a block and on Radford's very next trip down the court, Liz Leer swatted away a three-point attempt. Nusseibeh joined the block party a few possessions later and the resulting jumper by Liz Hayes brought the Eagles to within two points of the lead. Kirk tied the game on AU's next possession, 50-50, but the bucket would prove to be AU's last of the day as Radford ended the game on an 8-0 run.

Nusseibeh led the team in scoring for the second time this season with 12 points on six of eight shooting. Nusseibeh also pulled down seven rebounds and blocked two shots. Kirk was AU's second leading scorer with nine points and the freshman grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. Leer led the Eagles on the boards with a career best 10 caroms and Hayes dished out a game-high four assists.

Radford was led by Corrie Fertitta and Taleia Moton who each notched double figures. Fertitta socred a game-high 17 and Moton totaled 16.

American will take a brief break from action to celebrate the upcoming holiday and returns to the court at Cleveland State on Dec. 29. Tip is slated for 3 p.m.