Lisa Strack led all scorers with 18 points in only 22 minutes of play as the American University women's basketball team improved to 8-0 in Patriot League play with a 70-47 triumph over Colgate Saturday afternoon in Bender Arena.

American (16-6, 8-0 PL) faced an early 5-2 deficit to Colgate (5-18, 2-6 PL), but took control of the game with a 27-2 run over a 9:15 span in the first half. AU was 11-for-18 shooting during the stretch, which included five points and three assists from Jen Dumiak. Alexis Dobbs also added four steals as Colgate turned the basketball over 10 times during AU's run.

The Raiders, however, put together an 8-0 run late in the half to close their halftime deficit to 34-23, and then began the second half by scoring the first four points to cut AU's lead to 34-27 at the 17:28 mark. After an AU timeout, Strack responded with a strong right-handed drive off the glass and a pair of Geleisa George free throws extended the lead back to double digits. Strack followed with the next four points, capping an 8-0 American run to push the advantage back to 42-27 with 14:57 to play.

The Eagles continued to apply the pressure and eventually opened up a 20-point lead once again, 57-36, on a Dobbs three. The bucket by Dobbs, which was assisted by Dumiak at the 9:12 mark, put the final touches on a 23-9 spurt from the point when Colgate cut AU's lead to seven. AU maintained a margin between 18 and 23 points for the remainder of the game en route to the 23-point victory.

Strack's 18-point output came on 6-of-9 shooting along with 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Dumiak also scored in double figures with 10 points off the bench as well as four rebounds and four assists. George added nine points and five boards as well for AU.

The Eagles forced 21 Colgate turnovers in large part due to 13 steals by the Eagles. This marks the fifth time in the last seven games that AU has registered double-digit steals, which included a season-high 19 last Saturday against Lafayette.

"Our defensive energy is our identity," remarked Assistant Coach Belle Koclanes. "We talk about it every day in practice and we expect it every time we walk out on the court. That's what wins us basketball games and you'll continue to see it the rest of the season."

In addition to the strong performance on the court, Saturday was a big day in Bender Arena as pregame, the Department of Athletics hosted the fifth-annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation BBQ. Then postgame, children were invited to the Bender Arena floor for a free clinic with AU's women's teams in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

American will look to make it 9-0 in conference play against second-place Lehigh this Wednesday, February 8. Tip time from Bethlehem, Pa., is set for 7 p.m.