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Eagles Grasp Sole Possession of First Place in Patriot League
American dominates Holy Cross, 81-65

Junior forward Chanel Hunt cracked the 900 point career mark, posting 10 points in a 81-65 victory over Holy Cross.

Feb. 20, 2004 | Box Score

WASHINGTON – American University shot 52 percent in the first period, en route to a 22-point halftime lead over visiting Holy Cross, and cruised to a 81-65 victory Friday at Bender Arena. The victory was the first-ever by the Eagles over Holy Cross, gave AU a season-high three-game win streak and sole possession of first place in the Patriot League.

The Crusaders opened the game with a 4-0 run, but the Eagles gained control and went on a 12-0 run, with Kaitlin Schuyler (Baltimore, Md./Mercy) putting the ball in twice from beyond the three point arc. Ending the run at 15:35 with a two-pointer by the Crusaders' Lisa Andrews, the Eagles quickly regained control, going on another run with less than 10 minutes left in the half. The Eagles only allowed Holy Cross four points for the last eight minutes of the first half, and Joanna Barnes (Washington, D.C./Dunbar/Fresno St.) hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to push the Eagles' lead to 22.

In the second stanza the Eagles continued to push ahead, as Kim Salem (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) made a layup to give the American the largest lead of the game at 26 at 16:09. The Crusaders attempted to chip away at the Eagles lead, but were unsuccessful, only coming as close as 12 with 7:11 remaining.

Barnes scored a game-high 19 points and added four boards, while Chanel Hunt (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft) cracked the 900 point career mark at 13:24, with the first of her 10 points. Chanel Spriggs (Sunderland, Md./Northern/St. Mary's) and Salem also accumulated double figures, with 16 points each.

The Crusaders were led by Shannon Bush, who posted 17 points, while Mary Rose Campbell had a game-high 10 boards.

With Navy defeating Colgate 68-53 tonight, AU takes the sole possession of first place in the Patriot League at 8-3.

The Eagles will return to Bender Arena to celebrate Senior Day on Sunday, Feb. 22 to battle Colgate at 3 p.m. in the final home game of the season.