Box Score WASHINGTON – Senior Ari Booth finished with a team-leading 15 points in her first appearance of the season, but the American University women's basketball team dropped its home opener to Hofstra, 60-51, Thursday evening at Bender Arena.
Booth, who missed the first two games of the season due to a concussion, shot 50 percent from the field and hit three three-pointers to pace AU's offense. Sophomore
Emily Kinneston added 11 points, while freshman
Cecily Carl added nine points and six rebounds.
Ashunae Durant led Hofstra (3-0) with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Kelly Loftus and Krystal Luciano added 13 points each.
Kinneston scored the first basket of the game to give AU its first lead of the season, but Hofstra answered with 12 straight points to take control. The Pride shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc in the opening period to take a 15-8 lead into the second quarter.
American cut its deficit to 19-16 with a three-pointer by Booth, but Hofstra closed out the second period on a 15-4 run to go into the locker room with a 14-point lead.
While the Eagles outscored the Pride in the second half, they were unable to overcome their early deficit. American got as close as 43-36 with just over nine minutes remaining, but Hofstra responded with a timely three-pointer to halt the Eagles' momentum. The Pride scored their final eight points of the fourth quarter at the free throw line to secure the victory.
American outshot Hofstra for the game, but the Pride scored nearly half of their field goals from long range. Hofstra also had the advantage at the foul line, converting on 11-of-17 free throws, while AU attempted just 10 foul shots.
The Eagles continue their first homestand of the season on Sunday, Nov. 22, when they host Elon in a 7 p.m. contest.
