Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lafayette's backcourt duo of Abby Antognoli (nine) and Teresa Kiewiet (10) combined for 19 points in the team's 54-52 defeat to American at Bender Arena on Wednesday evening. Grace Koepke netted a game-high 18 points to push the Eagles over the line.

American found an 8-4 lead after four minutes expired in the first quarter. The Leopards quickly made it a one-point game (8-7) thanks to a triple by junior guard Sauda Ntaconayigize. The Eagles eagerly responded with a three-pointer of their own with 4:48 to go. The Leopards closed the quarter with a 7-2 run and after 10 minutes in the nation's capital, Lafayette led 14-12.

Both teams dropped in 14 points in the second stanza and the Maroon and White came out hot. Lafayette took its largest lead of the game (eight points) with 7:40 to go in the half, after junior guard Kay Donahue converted a layup. With five minutes to go in the period, American began to find its rhythm. Both squads traded buckets down the stretch, but the Maroon and White maintained a two-point advantage (28-26) heading into the intermission.

Head coach Kia Damon-Olson had her team rolling to begin the second half, opening the quarter with a 5-0 spurt in the first minute of play. However, the hosts responded with a 10-2 run to grab a one-point lead (36-35) with 4:25 remaining. Guards Kay Donahue and Kiewiet got some shots to fall in crunch time, aiding Lafayette to a 43-41 lead after three quarters.

The Leopards struggled from the field in the final period and American capitalized, grabbing a narrow 54-52 victory at the horn. Cecilia Kay notched six points in the stanza to help lead the charge for the Eagles. Lafayette was trailing by five points (54-49) before a second-chance opportunity saw senior guard Halee Smith drain a huge triple to cut its deficit to two points with 29 seconds remaining. Lafayette had a chance to win the contest in the final 10 seconds, but a turnover proved to be the difference.

Lafayette's bench contributed 11 points in the game to American's three, but the Eagles' 24 points in the paint were a key factor in the loss.

The Maroon and White will face Colgate at 2 p.m. at home on Saturday as they prepare to host their annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Game.
 

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