The American University women's basketball's record-setting 2011-12 season ended on Thursday night with a 58-39 defeat at Villanova in the first round of the WNIT.

American (23-8, 14-0 PL) concludes its campaign with 23 victories, matching a program record for the most single-season wins in program history with the 1997-98 team. The Eagles also became the first Patriot League team to ever finish 14-0 in conference play and their 15-game win streak set a new program record.

"When we look at our season as a whole we can feel proud of our body of work," remarked Head Coach Matt Corkery. "This team has continued to build the pride and tradition of American women's basketball."

AU took a 6-3 lead on a Tori Halvorsen jumper less than two minutes into the game, which would mark its final advantage of the contest. Villanova (18-14, 6-10 Big East) responded with a 9-0 spurt to take a 12-6 advantage at the 14:02 mark.

American, however, stayed within striking distance for much of the opening half, cutting its deficit to 20-19 on a Sarah Kiely bucket off a Lisa Strack assist. But the Wildcats fired back with eight straight points, opening up a 28-19 advantage late in the half. A jumper at the first-half buzzer gave Villanova a 32-21 lead, marking its first double-digit lead of the game.

American hung tough for the early part of the half before Villanova put the game away with an 8-0 spurt to open up a 48-27 advantage at the 9:33 mark. AU cut the deficit to 14, 48-34, on a Geleisa George jumper with 6:07 remaining, although Villanova went on to earn the 19-point win.

Villanova shot 42.9 percent in the game, including 47.4 percent from behind-the-arc, compared to only 28.0 percent overall for the Eagles. AU was led by Alexis Dobbs' eight points while Strack and Jen Dumiak each registered seven points and a team-best eight rebounds.

"Give Villanova a lot of credit," added Corkery. "They shot the ball well and kept us from getting quality looks at the basket. They controlled the game and it was a tough night for us in every category."

American's three seniors -- Ebony Edwards, Halvorsen, and Strack -- graduate as the winningest class in program history with an 86-39 record, including a 46-10 record in Patriot League play. The seniors won three Patriot League regular season titles, earned three postseason berths, and reached the Patriot League Championship Game on two occasions.

For Strack specifically, she will graduate with 1,059 career points, 14th-most in program history. Additionally, with her eight rebounds against Villanova, she finishes with exactly 500 career boards, becoming the 15th student-athlete in program history to reach that number. She is the ninth student-athlete in school history to reach both the 1,000-point and 500-rebound club.