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American Knocks Off Navy, 59-48
Salem and Schuyler each score 17 in victory

Feb. 11, 2004 | Boxscore

Kim Salem was just one rebound short of the first double-double of her career, with 17 points and nine rebounds.

WASHINGTON - Kim Salem (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) and Kaitlin Schuyler (Baltimore, Md./Mercy) each scored 17 points to lead American to a 59-48 victory over the U.S. Naval Academy Wednesday night at Bender Arena.The victory gave the Eagles a season-sweep over Navy, the first time they have achieved that since they began Patriot League play three years ago.

AU's chances for the sweep did not look good early, as the Mids took an 8-0 lead to start the game. The Eagles still trailed by eight with 12:57 left in the half (12-4), when they began a 9-2 run that gave them their first lead of the game at 15-14. Schuyler scored seven of the nine points on a layup, two free throws and three-pointer. Salem chipped in with a layup during the stretch.

Navy regained the lead (21-20) briefly on a three-pointer by Courtney Davidson with 3:24 left in the first stanza. However, the Eagles scored the last eight points of the half to take a commanding 28-21 lead into the lockerroom. Schuyler hit four free throws to start the run and Joanna Barnes (Washington, D.C./Dunbar) scored the last four points on a layup and a short jumper.

In the second half Navy cut the lead to a single point with 13:30 to go on a jumper by Abi Campbell (35-34). However, Salem scored four of the next eight points and American built the lead back to nine points (43-34). Navy could not get closer than six points the rest of the way.

Salem led all rebounders with nine and with her 17 points she finished just one board shy of the first double-double of her AU career. She was five-of-seven from the field and seven-of-eight from the charity stripe. Schuyler, who scored 13 of her 17 points in the first half, finished with two assists, three boards and one steal in 33 minutes. She was four-of-seven from the field and eight-of-10 from the free throw line.

Chanel Spriggs (Sunderland, Md./Northern) scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds and notched five steals in 28 minutes before fouling out. Barnes finished with seven points and two assists.

Davidson led all scorers with 22 points, including six treys. Adrienne Roseti managed seven points and eight boards.

American is now 11-11 overall and 6-3 in the Patriot League, which is good for a four-way share of first place. The Eagles will next play at Lehigh, who is also tied for first place at 6-3 in the league, on Feb. 14, 2004. Game time is 1 p.m.