Dec. 29, 2007

Box Score

Cleveland, Ohio - The American University women's basketball team fought back from a double-digit deficit for the third-consecutive game Saturday afternoon but lost in heartbreaking fashion to Cleveland State, 65-63, on a jumper by Kailey Klein with no time remaining on the clock. Liz Hayes moved into sole possession of second place on AU's career three point list with her first basket of the game and scored a team-high 16 points along with Talicia Jackson.

Hayes opened the game with a three-point basket to give American a brief lead, but the Eagles would score just three more points in the next five minutes. Trailing by 13 points, 31-18, with four minutes remaining in the half, AU began a 9-0 run to close out the period and reduced CSU's lead to just four, 31-27. Four Eagles scored during the run which was caped off by a Liz Leer layup off an inbounds pass from Jackson with just two seconds remaining on the shot clock.

AU used a steady barrage of three-pointers by Hayes, Jackson and Ashley Yencho to keep pace with the Vikings in the second half. American finally caught CSU at the 11 minute mark when Yencho sank consecutive free throws to make the score 45 all. With the score tied at 51, Jackson hit a three with 6:36 on the clock to give AU's its first lead since the game's opening bucket. After swapping the lead five times down the stretch, CSU had possession of the ball with seven seconds remaining and the score tied, 63-63. After running a series of screens to the left of the top of the key, Kailey Klein took a handoff from Stephanie Crosley and pulled up for the game-winning basket with no time remaining on the clock.

Hayes finished the game with a team-high 16 points and four three-pointers. Hayes' three to open the game was the 106th of her career, moving her into sole possession of second place on AU's career list. Hayes now has 109 three-pointers in her career and trails only Kari Gaskins who finished her career with 147.

Jackson also scored 16 with four threes and Stephanie N'Garsanet added eight points for the Eagles and a game-high eight rebounds. American struggled from the floor all afternoon and was held to just 35.4 percent (17-48) shooting. AU also struggled from the free throw line, making just 20 of its 30 attempts.

Klein was the Vikings' top scorer with 21 points and was 7-7 from the line. Dominique Butler and Stephanie Crosley each scored 12 for CSU.

The Eagles will return to action Monday, Dec. 31, at 3:30 p.m. against Drexel at the Palestra in Philadelphia. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will provide live coverage of the game on its CN8 station with Rob Kennedy on the call. Fans wishing to watch should check their local listings for the channel.