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Eagles Use Strong Defense to Top Lafayette, 69-57
Spriggs leads AU with 18 points; Hunt adds 17

January 31, 2003

Chanel Spriggs had 18 points and grabbed six steals to lead the Eagles over Lafayette.

Gameday Central
American	69
Lafayette	57
Box Score
Points: Spriggs (AU) 18; Costello (LC) 15 Rebounds: Costenbader (AU) 7, Schuyler (AU) 7; MacLelland (LC) 10 Assists: Hunt (AU) 4; Costello (LC) 6 Steals: Hunt (AU) 6, Spriggs (AU) 6; Costello (LC) 4.

EASTON, Pa. — American University's women's basketball team used solid defense in the second half to defeat Lafayette, 69-57. The Eagles move to 12-7 overall and 5-1 in Patriot League play. Chanel Spriggs led all scorers with 18 points and Chanel Hunt added 17 for the Eagles. Both Hunt and Spriggs had six steals as AU had a season-high 22 steals in the game.

After allowing Lafayette to score the first four points of the contest, the Eagles responded behind seven straight points by Hunt as AU took an 11-6 lead. The Leopards cut the lead to 11-10 before the Eagles went on a 12-3 run behind five points by both Katryn Costenbader and Spriggs.

Lafayette came back with six straight points of its own before a Kaitlin Schuyler three-pointer ended the AU drought. The Eagles could not put the 'Pards away in the first half as a three-pointer by Kristin Doherty cut the AU lead to 28-27 and a free throw by Ashley MacLelland tied the game.

Spriggs was able to get a layup and Maria Werries scored off an offensive rebound to give the Eagles a 32-28 lead. Colleen Fitzpatrick scored for Lafayette as the half wound down as AU went to the locker room with a 32-30 advantage.

Two quick baskets by Mariam Veppumthara and Werries opened the second half for AU. Lafayette charged back and a three-pointer by Kim Costello gave the Leopards the lead, 39-38. A Spriggs steal and layup put the Eagles back in front for good at 40-39. Strong defense led to a 12-0 AU run as Spriggs had six points.

After the 'Pards sliced the Eagle lead to 60-53 with 7:49 remaining, AU clamped down on Lafayette, holding them scoreless over the next seven minutes as the Eagles pulled away for the win.

The 22 steals by American are the fourth-most in school history. Costenbader had her eighth consecutive game in double-figures with 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Schuyler tied Costenbader for the team lead with seven boards of her own. Joanna Barnes had a career-high five steals for the Eagles in the game. American shot 45.1 percent from the floor and dominated in the paint with 50 points compared to only 12 for the 'Pards.

American returns to action on Sunday as the Eagles face Army in West Point, N.Y. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.