ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Hampered by a sluggish fourth-quarter performance, the American University women's basketball team dropped a 65-52 decision to Navy on Wednesday evening at Alumni Hall.

With the loss, the Eagles fell to 6-21 overall and 4-12 in the Patriot League, while the Midshipmen improved to 15-12 overall and 9-7 in the league.

Freshman Cecily Carl led the Eagles with 13 points, while senior Ari Booth added 12 points and six rebounds. In addition, senior Lauren Crisler and sophomore Maria Liddane each recorded 10 points.

Peri Curtis scored 13 points, including 10 in the first period, to pace the Midshipmen's offense, while Sarita Condie and Molly Sanders each added 10 points.

After going back and forth in the opening minutes of the first period, American went on a 7-0 run to pull ahead to a 14-8 advantage before taking an 18-15 lead into the second quarter.

The Eagles opened the second period on a 10-2 run, but Navy answered with a run of its own, scoring nine straight points to cut the margin to two with 4:10 on the clock. The Mids tied the score at 30-30 with a three-pointer in the final minute of the second period and took a 32-30 lead into the half with a jumper at the buzzer.

Another run to start the third period put American back on top, leading 40-35 with 6:19 remaining in the quarter. Again, Navy battled back, cutting AU's advantage to 46-45 at the end of the period.

The Mids outscored the Eagles 9-2 to open the fourth quarter, earning their largest lead of the contest. Navy remained on top as American, which shot at least 50 percent in each of the first three periods, went cold in the fourth quarter, shooting just 16.7 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Navy shot over 63 percent in the final 10 minutes to seal the win.

Navy dominated on the glass, outrebounding American 36-21, and scoring 14 second-chance points off 12 offensive boards. The Mids also outscored the Eagles in the paint, 30-16.

The Eagles return home for their final two games of the regular season, beginning on Saturday, Feb. 24, when they host Loyola Maryland at 4 p.m. Prior to the game, American will hold a special ceremony to honor the members of its senior class.