The American University women's basketball team held off a second half Boston U. rally to pick up its fifth straight victory, 63-56, in Boston, Mass. on Wednesday night. 

Alexis Dobbs led the Eagles with 22 points, going 7-for-14 from the floor with four triples. The senior also matched her career mark with eight rebounds and added a team-best five assists. Jen Dumiak and Michelle Holmes chipped in 10 points apiece. Sarah Kiely set a new career-high with 14 rebounds and Holmes posted seven boards to give American a 45-34 edge on the glass.

"I think it's important that we got our first close win since I've been here," said Head Coach Megan Gebbia. "Alexis was just outstanding, especially early in the game. It was good that we had more of a team effort in the second half and we saw more players looking to score, which is great. It's not an easy place to play and not an easy team to play. I'm very happy with the win and that we were able to have three players in double-figures." 

Boston (7-13, 2-5) took an early 4-2 advantage but a Dobbs triple sparked an 8-0 run and forced the Terriers to call its first timeout. The Eagles went on a 6-0 run to take a 16-5 lead at 15:12 as Boston called another timeout a minute later.

Mollie McKendrick completed a three-point play for the Terriers but a drive by Kiely was able to give American the 21-10 lead with 9:25 to play. Boston notched five straight points and answered the Eagles bucket for bucket down the stretch as American went into the break up seven, 29-23. 

American (13-5, 6-1) shot 40.6 percent from the field and went 3-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Terriers were 28.1 percent from the floor and 1-for-7 from 3-point range.

Boston opened the second half on a 10-0 run to take a 33-29 lead at 16:41. Dobbs ended the scoreless drought for the Eagles with a triple and a drive from Geleisa George gave American back the 36-35 edge with 13:58 to play. The teams traded buckets, with the Terriers and American hitting five consecutive 3-pointers, as a trey from Lauren Crisler knotted it up at 47-all with 8:49 to go. 

Four straight buckets from Holmes gave the Eagles the 51-50 edge but another bucket by Rashidat Agboola gave Boston back the lead. A Shaquilla Curtis drive put American back on top and the Eagles never gave up the lead for the remainder of the game. Crisler knocked it away from Katie Poppe and Dumiak drained a triple to secure the 56-52 advantage for the Eagles with 3:25 to play. The Terriers called a timeout but Dumiak blocked Sarah Hope's 3-point attempt to keep American in the lead. The Eagles were able to go 7-of-10 from the line down the stretch and hold Boston scoreless from the floor for the 63-56 final score.

McKendrick led three double-digit scorers for the Terriers with 18 points while Agboola scored 12 points and Clodagh Scannell had 10. McKendrick and Scannell had double-doubles with 11 and 12 rebounds, respectively. 

American held a 37.3 to 35.6 edge in field goal percentage and outshot Boston 47.1 to 27.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The Eagles return to Bender Arena to host Army for National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking here or calling 202-885-TIXX. A free postgame clinic will be held for all children in attendance following the game.