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American Comes Up Empty-Handed Againt Georgia State
Eagles' 19-point comeback falls short in Loyola Holiday Classic game

December 30, 2001

Maria Werries recorded a career-high 23 points in the Eagles' loss to Georgia State on Sunday.

Gameday Central
Georgia State	87
American	81
Box Score
Points: Evita Rogers (GSU) 24 Rebounds: Rogers (GSU) 13

BALTIMORE --The American women's basketball team came back from a 19-point halftime deficit to take a one-point lead over Georgia State with 40 seconds left in the game but the Lady Panthers came back with a three-pointer and four free throws to earn an 87-81 victory over the Eagles in the consolation game of the Loyola Holiday Classic in Reitz Arena on Sunday.

The Eagles (5-6) opened the game with an 11-4 spurt but the Lady Panthers tied the contest at 13-13 with 13:13 remaining in the first. Georgia State (4-4) then went on a 17-1 run and led at halftime, 45-26.

American cut the lead to 10 points with a three-pointer by Maria Werries, who recorded a career-high 23 points on the afternoon. The Eagles' next six points came from the hands of Chanel Spriggs to draw the team within seven at the 4:40 mark. Spriggs finished with a career-high 21 points, including nine-of-10 from the foul line, before fouling out with 3:33 remaining.

A Chanel Hunt layup followed by back-to-back threes by Katryn Costenbader gave American its first lead, 79-78, since seven minutes into the first half. The Lady Panthers regained the lead with a pair of free throws, but another Hunt layup gave the Eagles an 80-79 lead.

Georgia State responded with a three-pointer from the corner and went four-of-four from the charity stripe in the last 20 seconds to seal the win.

With the loss, the Eagles fall below .500 for the first time this season as they head to former Colonial Athletic Association rival William & Mary on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.