EMAIL THIS PAGE

American Uses Another Second Half Comeback to Edge UMES, 62-61
Hunt named Tournament MVP after scoring 16 points

December 9, 2002

Chanel Hunt was named Tournament MVP after scoring 16 points against UMES.

Gameday Central
UMES	61
American	62
Box Score
Points: Hunt (AU) 16; Matin (UMES) 10, Winkfield (UMES) 10 Rebounds: Costenbader (AU) 6, Hunt (AU) 6, Spriggs (AU) 6; Daniels (UMES) 10 Assists: Rhymer (AU) 4, Gooden (UMES) 4

WASHINGTON — Down by double digits in the second half for the second straight game, American University’s women’s basketball team (6-2) fought back to win the final game of the AU Tip-Off Classic, 62-61 over Maryland-Eastern Shore (3-4). Chanel Hunt led all scorers with 16 points and was named Touranment MVP. Maria Werries was also named to the all-tournament team for AU after scoring 13 points.

The Hawks jumped out to an early six point lead on AU in the first half. American clawed back into the game and grabbed its largest lead of the game at 24-19 following a basket by Damarah Rhymer. However, UMES reclaimed the lead less than a minute later and stretched the margin to eight before halftime behind a 15-6 run.

UMES started quickly in the second half and opened a 10 point lead at 42-32 under two minutes into the half. A three-pointer by Werries cut the margin to three, but back-to-back baskets by Tiffany Winkfield and Antoinette Daniels stretched the UMES lead back to seven. American was able to get within four, but the Hawks once again stretched the lead to eight with 10 minutes to play in the game.

Chanel Spriggs had six rebounds and four steals against UMES.

The Eagles began to make another run at taking the lead as Katryn Costenbader made a lay-up and then blocked the UMES shot on the other end. On the fast break, Costenbader found Kaitlin Schuyler for the easy bucket and the Eagles were within four. After a lay-up by Paula Tucker for UMES, Hunt drained a jumper from the foul line with 6:35 to play. Chanel Spriggs then had one of her four steals and drove in for a lay-up and the Eagles were trailing by two, 54-52.

The Hawks fought back, stretching the lead back to six as Tucker made a basket as the shot clock expired. Werries answered back for AU, draining a long three-pointer to pull within three. Angel McNatt made one-of-two free throws as American inched closer at 58-56. After a missed foul shot by UMES, Hunt drove the length of the floor and made the basket to tie the game.

Ckyla Grays gave the lead back to UMES after going one-of-two from the foul line. Rhymer was fouled, but missed the front end of the one-and-one. However, Hunt was there to grab the rebound and she fed Costenbader who nailed the baseline jumper to give AU the lead with 1:17 to play. UMES raced down the court and Zereena Stephens made a lay-up as the teams battled back and forth.

Hunt was fouled with 44.1 seconds to play and calmly made both foul shots, giving AU a 62-61 advantage. On the defensive end, the Eagles were able to force a jump ball which gave posession to AU. American was able to break the press and passed the ball around until Schuyler was fouled with 9.1 seconds remaining. Schuyler was unable to convert either shot and UMES gained posession. Hunt was called for a foul with 1.4 seconds left sending Winkfield to the line for two shots. Winkfield missed both, and time expired as AU was able to come away with the win.

Joining Hunt and Werries on the AU Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team was Eastern Michigan’s Nikki Knapp and Abby Wiseman and Maryland-Eastern Shore’s Neferteria Franklin and Tiffany Winkfield.

American has time off before its next game due to finals. The Eagles next take the court Dec. 19 at San Diego State.