Lisa Strack scored a game-high 18 points and Nicole Ryan was a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range to lead the American University women's basketball team to a 58-32 triumph over Binghamton on Thursday afternoon in the Hawk Holiday Classic in West Long Branch, N.J. With the win, the Eagles -- which have now won six straight games -- move into the tournament championship where they will face Brown on Friday at 2 p.m.

Defense was the story for American (8-4), as the Eagles held Binghamton (6-5) to 2-of-21 shooting from three-point range (9.5 percent). The Bearcats' 32 points are the second fewest points given up by American in program history, one point shy of the record that was set in last season's 53-31 victory over Lafayette on January 30. Additionally, American's nine blocked shots are second most in program history, one short of the school record of 10, which came in 2001 against James Madison.

"I was really pleased with our defensive effort today," remarked Head Coach Matt Corkery. "We did a nice job in both halves of defending in the half court and not allowing any of their players to score in double figures. We weren't really firing on all cylinders offensively so we had to rely on defense to carry us through."

On the offensive end, Ryan registered a record-setting performance with her 5-of-5 shooting from deep. This marked the first game in program history that an AU student-athlete has been perfect from beyond-the-arc on at least five attempts.

American used a 15-2 run late in the first half to take control of the game. Leading 13-10 at the 8:53 mark, Strack and Liz Leer began the spurt with buckets, and were followed a Ryan three-pointer. Moments later, Ryan added another trey, and back-to-back baskets by Leer gave the Eagles a 28-12 advantage with 2:19 to play in the half.

Ryan knocked down her fourth three of the half to extend American's margin to 17, 31-14 with 1:48 to go, and the Eagles took a 37-16 lead into intermission. Ryan shot a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond-the-arc in 10 minutes of action in the opening period, while Strack also scored 12 on 4-6 FG.

The second half continued in a similar fashion to the opening 20 minutes, as a Leer turnaround jumper at the 7:29 mark gave AU a 25-point lead, 50-25. The Eagles pushed the margin to as many as 28 in the final four minutes before settling for the 58-32 victory.

Strack led the way for AU with a game-best 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. She added four rebounds and two assists. Ryan added 15 on the aforementioned five three-pointers. Leer was also in double figures for American with 11 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting. She also added four rebounds and two blocked shots.

"I thought Lisa [Strack], Liz [Leer] and Nicole [Ryan] were able to get quality looks and knock down open shots, which got us into the rhythm offensively and allowed us to take control of the game," added Corkery.

Other notable performances for the Eagles included a career-best four blocks for Stephanie Anya and a career-high four steals for Alexis Dobbs.

The Eagles shot 44.2 percent from the field, including 53.8 percent in the first half. Meanwhile, AU held the Bearcats to 25.9 shooting overall, including the aforementioned 2-of-21 from three.

American will face Brown in the championship game of the Hawk Holiday Classic on Friday. The Bears defeated tournament host Monmouth, 75-71, in Thursday's other contest. The Eagles hold a 4-3 all-time record against Brown, which includes a 64-54 AU win last season in Providence.