WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lafayette (11-9, 7-3  PL) won its fifth-straight game on Saturday afternoon, defeating American (8-12, 4-6 PL),  67-53, in Bender Arena.

The win brings the Leopards to 7-3 in Patriot League play and their first win over American since 2016. 

Four of the five starters for the Leopards totaled double digit points. They were led by junior Natalie Kucowski with 18, senior Alexis Santarelli with 14, junior Drew Freeland with 13 and sophomore Nicole Johnson with 11.

Lafayette grabbed control of the game right away in the first quarter and held a 14-7 lead going into the second quarter.   

They then started off the second frame with their longest run of the game, going on a 12-point scoring run just two minutes in, to lead American by 15 heading into the locker room.

American got on the board first in the third quarter but a floater from beyond the arc by Freeland just second after, pushed the Leopards lead back out to 16 at the start of the second half. They would stretch their lead out as far as 23, with 10 minutes left to play.

The Eagles came out fighting in the fourth quarter, slowly starting to chip away at the Leopards lead. They were able to cut the deficit down to 15 but with less than a minute left in the game.

American outscored Lafayette 23-15 in the final frame.

Senior Tasha Vipond was fouled with 26 seconds left on the clock and made both of her free throws to secure the win for the Leopards.

The Leopards will have a week off before their next game on Saturday, Feb. 8. That game will be the second rivalry meeting with Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. with tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.