Nov. 23, 2008
Box Score
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Three Eagles tallied in
double digits, but it was not enough, as the American University
women's basketball team fell to North Carolina State, 73-63, in the
final round of the Subway Classic on Sunday. The loss drops the
Eagles to 3-2 on the season, while the Wolfpack improve to 4-1.
N.C. State used a 12-0 run to start the game and American
struggled to catch up throughout the first half. Michelle Kirk
scored the Eagles first basket, a three-pointer, at 14:42 but the
Wolfpack responded with three straight jumpers to extend its lead
to 15. AU began to settle into the game and cut the deficit to four
points, trailing 25-21, on a Talicia Jackson
three with five minutes remaining in the first half, but N.C. State
outscored the Eagles 13-1 down the stretch to take a 38-22 lead
into the intermission.
American fought back in the second half and trailed by six, down
40-34 with just over 15 minutes to play courtesy of an Ashley Yencho
three-pointer, but the streaky Wolfpack put together another run of
seven unanswered points to reclaim a 13-point, 49-36 advantage. The
Eagles would put together one more push at getting their first lead
of the game, pulling within three points (59-56) with 3:23 left in
the game, but the Wolfpack connected used frequent trips to the
free throw line the rest of the way out to wrap up the 73-63 win.
Kirk led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points, while Nicole Ryan tallied
double digits for the fifth straight game, scoring 12. Liz Leer added 13 points
and a team-high six rebounds three steals and three assists.
Tia Bell and Shayla Fields each scored 18 points for N.C. State,
while Lucy Ellison recorded a double-double on 13 points and 10
rebounds.
American will return to non-conference action on Friday, when
they play at Morgan State at 7:00 p.m.
