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American Drops to 5-3 In Patriot League With 51-39 Loss to Bucknell
Salem, McNatt lead Eagles with eight points a piece

Junior Kim Salem tallied eight points and six boards in a 51-39 loss to Bucknell Saturday.

Feb. 7, 2004 | Boxscore

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The American University women’s basketball team held Bucknell University’s two leading scorers to just 14 combined points, but couldn’t overcome a stifling defensive effort by the Bison in a 51-39 loss Saturday at Sojka Pavilion.

The Eagles jumped ahead of BU early, going up by eight points, 17-9, at the 8:31 mark of the first half. However, BU stepped up its defensive effort and held AU scoreless for nearly eight minutes as the Bison went on a 12-0 run to take a 21-17 lead. Kim Salem (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) halted the run by hitting a pair of free throws, but American went into the lockerroom trailing 23-19 after Bucknell’s Lindsey Hollobaugh hit two free throws of her own.

Early in the second stanza, American began chipping away at the Bison’s lead, eventually tying the game at 28 at the 14:48 mark of the second half. Once again, Bucknell ramped up its defensive intensity and held the Eagles scoreless over the next 6:49. BU surged ahead by 10, 38-28, and AU would get no closer than five the rest of the way.

American held Desire Almind, BU’s leading scorer at 17.4 points per game entering today’s contest, to just five points, and the Bison’s second-leading scorer, Lindsey Hollobaugh, who was averaging 15.1 ppg coming into today, to just nine points.

American drops to 10-11 overall and 5-3 in the Patriot League. The Eagles were led by Salem, who had eight points and six rebounds, and Angel McNatt (Adelphia, Md./High Point/Montgomery Junior College), who finished with eight points in just nine minutes of action.

Bucknell, which improves to 10-11 overall and 3-5 in the Patriot League, was led by Lillian Drumgold, who hit four-of-six shots and finished with 14 points.

AU returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 11, when the Eagles host the United States Naval Academy beginning at 7 p.m.