American to Face Longwood on Wednesday

WASHINGTON – Looking to land in the win column, the American University women's basketball team will host Longwood on Wednesday night inside Bender Arena. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.

Follow Along

Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 13; 7 p.m.
Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
TV: ESPN+

Series History

This is the fifth matchup between the Eagles and the Lancers. American leads, 4-1, in the series.
In their most recent contest, in Bender Arena in November 2023, AU topped Longwood by a score of 81-61. In that contest, then-freshman Lexi Salazar scored 5 points in her collegiate debut and had a rebound while then-junior Bailey Garbee had four points and five rebounds.
For the Lancers, Malea Brown had six points and five rebounds. She also had three steals and two assists.
The majority of the point scorers for both teams are no longer on their respective rosters.

Quick Hits

American took the Knights of FDU down to the wire during their home opener game on Friday, Nov. 8th. The game was decided in the final minute of play as a set of free throws would lift FDU over the Eagles, 62-59.
The Eagles kept the score close throughout the game, finishing the first quarter down by one and leading at the break by one. American led 44-42 going into the fourth quarter before FDU pulled away with the lead. A clutch three-pointer from junior guard Anna Rescifina tied the game 55-55 with 3 minutes to go. In the final minute of play, both teams got a chance at the line. The Eagles brought the score to 59-60, but couldn't convert again after the Knights made both, ending it, 59-62.
Rescifina had yet another career performance, scoring a high of 19 points to lead the team. She racked up four rebounds, three assists, and two steals, playing all but two minutes of the game. Sophomore guard Lexi Salazar led the Eagles in assists (5) and forward Cecilia Kay, a freshman, led on the glass with 10 rebounds.
The first two games are a sure indication of a bright future for this young squad. With two underclassmen on the starting line-up and multiple key contributors coming off the bench, the Eagles are poised to take care of business this season under the leadership of Rescifina and graduate student Ivy Bales.
Kay was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week this week after being one of only two Eagles to score in double digits (11) against FDU and just one rebound away from a double-double against Virginia on Nov. 4th.

Scouting Longwood

The Lancers are coming off a big Homecoming win over Hood, 102-21. Having won two of their first three games, Longwood is off to its best start since the 2013-14 season.
Twelve of the thirteen Lancers tallied points and four finished in double figures. Longwood shot 48-percent from the field and knocked down nine 3-pointers.
The win was led by senior guard Malea Brown, who was the first in double figures for the day, finishing with 14 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
The Lancers shared the love, dishing 26 assists on their 39 made baskets. Sophomore Frances Ulysse contributed four to the 26 total, also adding seven rebounds and two steals.
Longwood led the first quarter 22-5, then picked up pace to more than double their lead by the half, 59-10. After three, the Lancers had made it 83-16, and the extra 20 points in the closing quarter sealed the deal.
Leading in points this season is graduate student Kiki McIntyre (42), shooting .486 and having knocked down 6 threes in three games.
Leading in rebounds this season is Otaifo Esenabhalu, a sophomore, averaging 9.3 rebounds per game with 3 blocks on the season. In the win over Hood, Esenabhalu grabbed 8 rebounds, also shooting 4-for-6 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.