EMAIL THIS PAGE

American Women Overcome Scare at Lafayette
Eagles narrowly defeat Leopards, 63-61, after 36-point win in first meeting

February 9, 2002

Freshman Chanel Hunt recorded a career-high with 26 points along with 10 rebounds in the Eagles' win over Lafayette.

Gameday Central
American	63
Lafayette	61
Box Score
Points: Hunt (AU) 26 Rebounds: Hunt (AU), Rojahn (LC) 10

EASTON, Pa. -- The American women's basketball team pulled out a close 63-61 victory at Lafayette on Saturday behind freshman Chanel Hunt's career-high 26 points and steal with 2.2 seconds left to seal the victory. It was the Eagles' second win over the Leopards this season but it was a far cry from the 92-56 American win on Jan. 16.

American (11-11, 6-4 PL) turned over the ball on an out of bounds play with five seconds to go, giving Lafayette (3-20, 1-9 PL) one last chance with the Eagles up 63-61. Lindsay Myers went up strong for the Leopards, but Hunt was there to take the ball, and Lafayette's chance at victory, away.

The Patriot League contest was close from the start with the teams going into the break tied at 25-25. The Eagles went up by as many as seven points on a Hollie Steinman layup with 12:33 to play but the Leopards were able to come back behind free throws by Elizabeth Rojahn to go up 52-51 with 6:30 to play.

American grabbed the lead on its next posession on a Steinman jumper, proving to be the eighth, and final, lead change of the contest.

The Eagles struggled from the line, shooting just four-of-13, but were able to cause 28 Leopard turnovers, 20 coming in the first half.

Steinman recorded 12 points before fouling out while Katryn Costenbader also finished in double figures for AU with 11 points.

Myers finished with a team-high 17 points while Kim Costello (14), Elizabeth Rojahn (11) and Colleen Fitzpatrick (10) also finished in double digits for Lafayette.

American wraps up its three-game road swing with a game at Bucknell on Tuesday evening.