The American University women's basketball team hosted James Madison in its home opener Sunday afternoon in Bender Arena and came up on the short end of a 68-64 double overtime decision.

Lisa Strack led the way for American (1-1) for the second straight game as she scored 13 points and added eight rebounds. Stephanie Anya recorded her first-career double-double with 10 points and 10 boards in a losing effort for the Eagles.

After trailing by as many as nine in the first half, AU closed the first half on a 9-2 run to get within two at intermission, 25-23. Ti'Asia McGeorge ended the first 20 minutes with a three and began the second half with another to give AU the lead and the Eagles would end up opening up an eight-point advantage, 40-32, at the 12:59 mark of the second half.   

James Madison (2-0) began chipping away at the deficit, eventually regaining the lead with under five minutes to go in what would remain a tight game for the remainder. Facing a 51-50 deficit, Strack knocked down a trifecta to propel AU back in front with 2:37 to play, although the Dukes tied the game up moments later and then took a one-point lead on a Lauren Whitehurst free throw with 25 seconds remaining.

After an American timeout, McGeorge missed a three, but Anya gathered an offensive rebound and was fouled, sending her to the free throw line with eight seconds to go. She made one-of-two and a last-second jumper by JMU was off the mark, sending the game to overtime.

In the first overtime, Alexis Dobbs hit a tough baseline jumper and Strack followed with a three to push AU in front, 59-56, with 1:57 to play. Back-to-back layups, however, propelled the Dukes back into the lead, setting up another opportunity for the Eagles to win the game. After an AU timeout with 12 seconds remaining, Strack drove aggressively to the hoop and was fouled. In the identical situation to Anya at the end of regulation, she made one-of-two as well and the game headed for double overtime.

In the second extra session, AU jumped in front, 64-63, but a Tarik Hislop jumper with 2:56 remaining pushed James Madison into the lead for good. Down three in the 20 seconds, Strack had a good look at what would have been a game-tying three-pointer, but it was off the mark. Hislop added a late free throw to ice the game and give the visiting Dukes a four-point win.

In a game that featured 12 ties, the Eagles were hurt by their 53.3 percent clip from the foul line (8-15) as well as their 54-38 deficit on the glass. From the floor, however, the Eagles outshot JMU by a 39.1 percent to 32.4 percent advantage.

AU will continue its three-game homestand when it welcomes Oakland to Bender Arena on Tuesday, November 15. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. and like always, the game will be available on Eagles Vision TV.