The American University women's basketball team overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to earn a 55-52 victory at Navy Wednesday evening at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md. The win gives the Eagles their third Patriot League regular season championship in a row and fourth in the last five seasons.

American (19-8, 11-0 Patriot League) is the first Patriot League team since Holy Cross in 2000-01 to begin conference play with 11 consecutive wins. The Crusaders are the only league program to finish undefeated when they went 12-0 in both 1990-91 and 1996-97 in a seven-team Patriot League.

The 11th straight triumph for American also matches a program record, which was accomplished on two prior occasions. AU won 11 in a row in the 2007-08 season as well as last year from November 28, 2010, through January 15, 2011.

The first half did not go as planned for the Eagles as Navy (14-11, 7-4 PL) used a 15-0 run to close the half, turning a 21-21 tie into a 36-21 halftime lead. The 15 unanswered points by the Midshipmen over the final 5:48 came on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.

But a re-energized American squad began the second half as Lisa Strack started play with a pair of free throws nine second into the period. Ebony Edwards, Jen Dumiak, and Alexis Dobbs followed with buckets and AU had began the half with an 8-0 spurt, cutting Navy's advantage to 36-29 with 17:42 to go. After a Navy timeout, AU's momentum continued as Tori Halvorsen knocked down a pair of free throws and Dobbs followed with a three. Dobbs' trey capped a 13-0 AU run over a 3:41 stretch and the Eagles were all of the sudden within two, 36-34, with 16:19 remaining.

The Mids momentarily weathered AU's rush and held a slight advantage for the next six-plus minutes until a pair of Strack free throws tied the game at 41 with 9:36 to go. A Strack layup less than two minutes later gave AU a 43-42 edge, its first lead since 8-7 in the first half.

AU extended its advantage to four on three different occasions over the next several minutes, the final time at 51-47 with 4:32 remaining following an Edwards free throw. Navy responded with a three to get within one, but a key jumper by Dobbs at the 2:55 mark pushed AU's margin to 53-50.

Following a Navy bucket, the Mids had three chances to take the lead following offensive rebounds. But Navy was unable to capitalize on its opportunities and AU eventually regained the basketball at the 33-second mark, holding a 53-52 lead.

American was able to wind down the clock until Strack was fouled with 10 seconds remaining. The senior hit both free throws sandwiched around a Navy timeout to extend AU's advantage to 55-52. After an AU timeout, Navy's last-second three-point attempt by Audrey Bauer was no good as the Eagles earned the win.

AU outscored Navy, 34-16, in the second half on the strength of 47.8 percent shooting over the 20 minutes. After firing a 55.2 percent clip in the first half, the Mids shot only 28.6 percent in the second period as they converted only six made field goals.

"Halftime came at a really good time for us," said Head Coach Matt Corkery. "The first half was played at our tempo, but Navy knocked down shots and played really well. Our team stayed really positive at halftime and we played with a ton of energy in the second half. I am proud of how we bounced back."

Dobbs led AU with nine points on 4-of-10 shooting while adding five rebounds and four assists. Strack chipped in eight points and a team-high seven boards while Halvorsen also scored eight points.

Navy was led by Jade Geif's 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Bauer added 10 points and seven boards.

AU will close out the home portion of its regular season schedule this Saturday, February 18 against Army at 2 p.m. Prior to the game, AU's three senior student-athletes -- Edwards, Halvorsen, and Strack -- will be honored. The Eagles will then conclude their regular season slate on the road at Bucknell and Lafayette.

The Eagles have clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Patriot League Tournament and homecourt advantage as long as they advance. AU will host the Patriot League Quarterfinals on Thursday, March 1.