Four Eagles scored in double figures -- including Sarah Kiely's first-career double-double -- as the American University women's basketball team earned a 63-48 victory over Loyola (Md.) Wednesday evening in Bender Arena.

In addition to Kiely's 11-point, 10-rebound effort, Alexis Dobbs and Geleisa George matched her with 11 points apiece. Dobbs added five rebounds, four steals, and three assists while George also had five boards. Lisa Strack was AU's fourth double-figure scorer with 10 points and she contributed five rebounds and three steals.

After back-and-forth action to begin the game, the Eagles took control with a 15-4 run over an 11:25 period, giving AU a 27-13 advantage late in the first half. Strack began the initial 8-0 run, Jen Dumiak followed with a three, and George capped it with a jumper. AU put together another 8-0 spurt at the back-end of the half on buckets by Dumiak, Tori Halvorsen, Dobbs, and Kiely.

AU closed the first half in dramatic fashion as Dobbs knocked home a 35 footer at the buzzer to propel the Eagles to a 32-16 lead at the break.

Strack scored on AU's opening possession in the second half and the Eagles then opened up a 19-point advantage, 37-18, when Strack converted a three-point play. American stretched their margin to as many as 23 points midway through the half before Loyola (4-6) began to chip away at the deficit. The Greyhounds eventually cut AU's lead to as few as 10 points with under two minutes to play, but they ran out of time as the Eagles prevailed with the 15-point victory.

American shot 44.4 percent from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond-the-arc. AU matched a season-high with 15 steals as the Eagles forced 26 Loyola turnovers. American also held a decisive 39-23 advantage on the glass, which included 18 rebounds on the offensive end.

The Eagles will have the next week off for the holidays before returning to Bender Arena for a pair of non-conference contests to close out 2011. AU will first entertain Quinnipiac on Wednesday, December 28 at 7 p.m. in Bender Arena. The Eagles will then host Western Michigan two days later on Friday, December 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available and live video will be carried for both games on Eagles Vision TV.