The American University women's basketball team's four-game winning streak ended Wednesday night in Bender Arena with a 39-37 overtime defeat to Maryland-Eastern Shore.

American (5-3) trailed the entire first half and faced a 17-11 halftime deficit. UMES (1-3) eventually opened up a nine-point lead, 25-16, with 13:30 to go in regulation before AU ran off 10 unanswered points over a four-minute stretch to take a 26-25 advantage. During the spurt, Lisa Strack hit a pair of shots and Ti'Asia McGeorge concluded the run with a three giving the Eagles their first lead of the game.

The action remained tight for the rest of regulation as neither side opened up more than a three-point advantage. After a Stephanie Anya jumper in the lane gave AU a 35-32 lead with 1:20 to go, UMES' Kwinnyata Mercer responded with a game-tying three on the next possession. Alexis Dobbs had a three-point opportunity to give the Eagles a lead with 29 seconds to go, but was off the mark and the Hawks' last second game-winning opportunity was no good.

In overtime, American's offensive struggles continued with its lone bucket coming on a Dobbs jumper with 1:32 to play to trim UMES' lead to 39-37. AU had the basketball on the final possession of the game, but was unable to get off a shot as the Hawks earned their first victory of the season.

Strack led the Eagles in scoring with nine points and added eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Dobbs, meanwhile, registered seven points, seven boards, five assists, and three steals, while Anya recorded eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

American suffered from poor shooting all night, ending the game at a 25.9 percent clip from the field, including 16 percent (4-for-25) from three-point range. The Eagles' defense kept them in the game as they held UMES to 26.8 percent shooting and forced 25 Hawks turnovers.

The Eagles will return to action on Sunday, December 4 when they host No. 7 Maryland in Bender Arena. Sunday will also mark women's basketball's annual "Phil Bender" game, featuring free Domino's Pizza, free Robeks smoothies, and free Coca-Coca products to AU students with a valid school ID. Tickets to Sunday's game can be purchased by clicking here, and as always, the game will be carried live on Eagles Vision TV.