Nov. 28, 2008

Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. - Liz Leer had a career night with 18 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks for the Eagles, but it was not enough, as American fell to Morgan State, 57-54, on Friday at Hill Field House. Leer's six blocks tied the AU single-game record while her 14 rebounds stand as a career-high and the first 13+ rebound performance for an Eagle since Tish Curry recorded 18 against Navy in 2006.

The Eagles built an 8-2 lead to start the game with Talicia Jackson hitting her first two three-point basket attempts of the contest. American (3-3) continued to lead, up 10-6, with 15:29 on the clock courtesy of Leer's first of 12 points in the opening half. However the Lady Bears would chip away at the deficit and earned their first tie of the contest at 12:37 on a pair of free throws made by Erin Hawkins.

The score was still knotted at 17 a piece with 8:04 remaining in the first when Leer took over the AU offense, scoring the next four Eagle baskets to open up a 25-19 advantage. The Eagles ran into foul trouble down the stretch, which allowed the Lady Bears to close the gap at the charity stripe. Morgan State would hit 8-of-11 free throws in the half, compared to AU's 1-of-4 from the line. American was unable to score over the final 2:22 and Morgan State (5-1) took a 31-30 lead into the break.

On the back of three Leer hoops and a pair of Nicole Ryan threes, American jumped out to a 44-37 advantage coming out of the intermission. The Bears came storming back once again and tied the score up at 45-45 on two Corin Adams free throws and reclaimed the lead on their next possession on an Adams and-one to give Morgan State a 48-45 lead with just over seven minutes to play in the game.

Pam Stanfield and Ryan hit a pair of back-to-back threes to give American a one-point (51-50) lead. The scored remained the same with 1:48 left on the clock with Theresa Davis shooting two for the Bears after the tenth Eagle team foul. Davis missed the front end but connected on the second of two free throws to tie it up. A jump ball situation on the AU possession gave the ball back to Morgan State with a minute 30 to play in the game.

Phylicia Jones gave the Bears a 53-51 and an Eagles miss from three gave Morgan State the ball back with half a minute to play. Adams hit her second three of the game with 20 seconds on the clock and Jackson's three attempt was long and a foul sent Morgan State to the line where they hit one-of-two. Michelle Kirk hit a three at the buzzer, but the Eagles fell short, falling 57-54.

Leer's 18 points led the Eagles, followed by Ryan's nine. Jackson finished with seven points and six assists.

Adams led all scorers with 19 points for Morgan State, adding six steals and three assists. Hawkins rounded out the double-digit scorers, picking up 10 points in the win.

The Eagles will return to action on Sunday at Bender Arena against Cleveland State. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.