“I was pleased with the second half performance,” said American University head coach Shann Hart. “We had far greater intensity and it allowed us to get a run going.”

American led by 13 at the half, but put the game away with a big run early in the second half. The Eagles built the lead to 25 points just five minutes into the half as junior Kim Salem (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) and senior Kaitlin Schuyler (Baltimore, Md./Mercy) scored eight of the half’s first 14 points. AU eventually built its lead to 33 with five minutes left in the game.

The Eagles had a balanced scoring attack as four players finished in double figures. Junior Joanna Barnes (Washington, D.C./Dunbar/Fresno State) was second to Spriggs with 13 points, including three treys. Salem added 12 points and Schuyler finished with 11 points.

The Eagles’ defense helped cause 28 turnovers and they finished with 15 steals. American took advantage by scoring 30 points off of turnovers. AU outboarded Four Corners by four (43-39).

In the first half the Eagles raced out to a 13-point lead (38-25), led by Spriggs, who finished the first 20 minutes with 14 points on six-of-11 shooting. Four Corners cut the deficit to five (25-20) with 6:18 left in the half, but AU went on a 13-5 run to close out the first stanza. Spriggs started the run with a three-pointer, and followed with two more buckets, while junior Angel Jordan (Glendale, Md.,/The Newport School/Delaware) hit a pair of jumpers to finish it off.

American will open its 2003-04 season by hosting UNC-Asheville on Friday, Nov. 21.