EMAIL THIS PAGE

American Falls to Army in Patriot League Semifinals, 78-73
Salem scores a career-high 15 in defeat

March 9, 2003

Kim Salem scored a career-high 15 points against Army

Gameday Central
Army	78
American	73
Box Score
Points: Spriggs (AU) 18; Macfarlane (Army) 17 Rebounds: Barnes (AU) 7; Saal (Army) 13 Assists: Three AU Players with 4; Saal (Army) 7

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — American University's women's basketball team used another one of its trademark second-half comebacks, but it fell just short as the Eagles lost to Army in the Patriot League Semifinals, 78-73. Chanel Spriggs led AU with 18 points with 13 coming in the second half and Kim Salem scored a career-high 15 points including 14 in the second half.

AU (18-11) struggled in the first half, shooting only 21 percent while the Black Knights (15-15) shot 42 percent from the floor. Army had a 13-2 lead before the Eagles made their first basket from the floor as Maria Werries drained a three-pointer as the shot clock expired nearly four minutes into the game. American closed to within six at 15-9 on a basket by Joanna Barnes, but the Black Knights proceeded to go on a 12-4 run to open a 14-point advantage.

The Eagles made another run at Army, cutting the lead to seven with 3:56 remaining. However, Shavonne Holden made back-to-back traditional three-point plays to help the Black Knights to a 39-26 halftime lead. AU did not make a basket from the floor over the final 5:21 of the half, but converted seven free throws over this stretch.

The Black Knights and Eagles battled through the early part of the second half before Salem began to take the game over for AU. She made back-to-back baskets to pull the Eagles within six and she then drew a charge committed by Army's Katie Macfarlane. Salem then converted an old-fashioned three-point play and Spriggs made a basket as the Eagles drew within five at 51-46.

AU continued its charge as part of an 11-3 run as Chanel Hunt knotted the game at 54 with 10:10 remaining. Army proceeded to go on an 11-1 run of its own as the lead grew to 65-55. Salem broke the dry spell for AU with a basket. MacFarlane then fouled out of the game shortly after with 5:34 remaining. Another basket by Spriggs cut the deficit to 65-60.

After Amy Saal helped the Black Knights to an eight-point lead, Katryn Costenbader drained a three-pointer to cut the lead to 70-65. However, Army quickly restored its lead before the Eagles began their final charge of the game. A Hunt basket and a Barnes steal and basket made the score 73-69. Salem scored on a fast break to bring the Eagles within two with 21.8 seconds remaining.

After two Army free throws, Barnes drove the length of the floor to put AU only down one. Christine Gassman converted two more free throws for the Black Knights to make the score 76-73. Barnes attempted a three-pointer for the tie, but it was off the mark and Army converted two free throws at the other end of the court to ice the game.

Army made 30-of-39 from the free-throw line in the game while AU was 18-of-26. The Eagles committed a season-low six turnovers while forcing 21 by Army. After shooting 21 percent in the first half, AU shot 56 percent in the second half to spark the comeback.

AU finishes the season at 18-11 with the 18 wins tying for fourth-most in school history.The squad also posted 10 league wins for only the third time in school history.