Jan. 31, 2003
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette women's basketball team battled American for the first 30 minutes, but could not hold off a second-half run by the visiting Eagles in the second-half 69-57 loss on Friday night at Kirby Sports Center.
The Leopards (2-17, 1-5) opened the game by connecting on three straight buckets for an early 6-6 tie. Freshman guard Brittney Rothweiler, who scored a career-high 18 points in the Leopards last outing, led the charge out of the gate by hitting two early jump shots and scored six first-half points.
After the hot Lafayette start, American (12-7, 5-1) countered with a 17-7 run to take a 23-13 lead at the midway point of the opening stanza. Chanel Hunt, the second ranked scorer in the Patriot League, fueled the run by scoring inside. Hunt netted four of her first five attempts and teammates Chanel Spriggs and Katryn Costenbader added baskets during the scoring spurt.
Behind the liveliest crowd on College Hill all season the Leopards rallied and finished the half strong, outscoring American 11-6 in the final five minutes to pull within 32-30 at intermission. Colleen Fitzpatrick asserted herself during Lafayette's push. The junior forward scored 10 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead all scorers at the half.
Both teams picked up their intensity in the second half, trading a host of buckets early on. American stretched its lead to 36-30 on a steal and transition layup courtesy of Spriggs, before the Leopards answered again.
Rothweiler picked up a loose ball and found fellow freshman Kristin Doherty for a hoop and harm. After Doherty converted the three-point play, Rothweiler connected on a layup of her own and Kim Costello sank a long-range field goal to put the Leopards on top 40-39.
After a timeout American tightened its defense that sparked an 18-7 scoring run that pushed the Eagles' lead back into double-figures at 58-47 at the nine-minute mark. American tallied six steals during the run, three by Spriggs, and finished the game with a season-high 22.
Despite 13 second-half points by Costello, including three three-point field goals, the Leopards could not cut the deficit to single-digits again.
Costello finished the game with a team-high 15 points, and Fitzpatrick netted 14 and corralled eight rebounds. Ashley MacLelland tied her career-high with 10 rebounds.
Three American players finished in double-figures. Spriggs led all scorers with 18 points to go along with six steals. Hunt netted 17 points, and Costenbader added 13.
