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American Captures AU Tip-Off Classic Title
Costenbader Tallies 45 Points in Two Games to Earn MVP Honors

Game Stats | November 17, 2001

Katryn Costenbader was named the AU Tip-Off Classic MVP after scoring 24 points in the title game on Nov. 17. She had 21 in the semifinal win.

WASHINGTON -- Tournament MVP Katryn Costenbader scored 24 points and added nine rebounds to lead American to the AU Tip-Off Classic championship with a 77-66 win over Southern. The tournament title was the second in the last three years for the Eagles.

American (2-0) built leads as large as 15 points in the second half, but had to hold off a pesky Southern (1-1) squad that got within three points late in the game.

With the Eagles holding a slim three-point lead (60-57) with 5:19 to play, Costenbader scored American’s next 11 points to push the Eagles to a 73-63 advantage, helping to seal the win. In last night’s semifinal win over Marshall, Costenbader scored 10 of American’s 13 points in overtime to help the Eagles to an 89-87 win over Marshall.

For the second straight night, American came out of the gate quickly, jumping to a 10-point (15-5) advantage midway through the first half. Costenbader scored nine points in the period, while Kaitlin Schuyler, an All-Tournament Team selection scored six. Schuyler finished with a season-high 17 points and five assists.

The Eagles led 32-28 at the half, but needed every ounce of it 72 percent shooting from the field in the second period to outdistance the Jaguars. American finished the game at 62.7 percent from the field.

Southern was led by All-Tournament Team selection Jacklyn Winfield’s 27 points and seven steals. Tommie Walden added 10 points and three assists.

Hollie Steinman, American’s third All-Tournament Team representative, scored 13 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and had two blocks. She moved into third place on the school’s all-time blocked shot list.

Chanel Spriggs came off the bench to tally 10 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and three assists for the Eagles.

Ida Dotson (Marshall) and Adeanah Pierce (South Carolina State) were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

American returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 20, when it travels to Towson for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff with the Tigers. Following the Thanksgiving break, the Eagles then take on Pittsburgh on Nov. 24, at 2:00 p.m. in Pittsburgh, Pa.