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American Clinches Second Seed With 86-64 Win Over Lafayette
Barnes posts first career double-double in win

March 1, 2003

Joanna Barnes had the first double-double of her career against Lafayette.

Gameday Central
Lafayette	64
American	86
Box Score
Points: Spriggs (AU) 22; Fitpatrick (LC) 17 Rebounds: Barnes (AU) 11; Welte (LC) 10 Assists: Schuyler (AU) 5; Costello (LC) 6

WASHINGTON — On Senior Day at American University, the women's basketball team used an impressive run early in the second half to defeat Lafayette, 86-64. With the win, AU clinches the second seed in the Patriot League Tournament and improves to 17-10 overall and 10-4 in the Patriot League. Chanel Spriggs led the way with 22 points for the Eagles. Joanna Barnes netted 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for her first career double-double. AU had four players in double-figures for the third straight game as Chanel Hunt added 13 points and Maria Werries scored 10.

The Eagles used an 8-0 run behind four points from Spriggs to open a 10-2 lead. The Leopards (3-24, 2-12 PL) came back and claimed the lead at 18-16. A Werries three-pointer put the Eagles up 24-23, but Lafayette came back yet again. With the game tied at 27, Hunt made a basket to give AU the lead for good as part of a 12-4 run to close the half and give the Eagles a 39-31 halftime lead.

American came out strong in the second half, using a balanced attack as part of a 23-7 run in the first nine minutes of the half to open a 62-38 lead. Spriggs had eight points during this stretch for the Eagles and Barnes had five. However, the 'Pards came back with a 13-4 run of their own to climb within 15. AU would not let Lafayette come any closer as Barnes drained a three-pointer and Spriggs made a great cut to the basket to put the Eagles up by 20.

Hunt had five steals in the game for AU, moving her into fourth all-time for steals in a season while Spriggs had four steals, giving her 101 for the season. The Eagles shot a season-best 50.0 percent for the game thanks to 56 percent shooting in the second half.

The Eagles begin Patriot League Tournament action on Friday at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. AU will be the No. 2 seed and play No. 7 Colgate in the quarterfinals at 5 p.m.