Box Score BOX SCORE

The High Point University women's basketball team led by as much as eight in the first half against American University but the Eagles proved to be too much for HPU, as they pulled ahead late in the first half before ultimately winning, 67-46, Sunday afternoon in Washington D.C. Junior Amy Dodd scored a team-best 11 points in the contest.

“We got off to a good start but then we broke down defensively late in the first half and throughout the second half,” said head coach Tooey Loy. “I think we are team right now that has played too many games in a short amount of time. We need to get back in the gym, get some practice in and get back to doing what we want to do on both ends of the floor. Right now, we are not playing very good basketball and we need to get in the gym and get it turned around.”

The Panthers trailed, 6-5, early but Dodd hit a baseline jumper to start a 9-0 run by HPU. After a media timeout, freshman Erin Reynolds hit a three pointer and both Dodd and sophomore Shamia Brown scored on lay-ups off inbounds plays as HPU opened a 14-6 lead and forced AU to call a timeout.

The Eagles responded with a 12-4 run of its own to tie the game at 18-18. AU was led by Liz Leer who scored eight points in the run including four from the free throw line.

A layup by freshman Jazmin Cromartie briefly reclaimed the lead for High Point, but American continued to press, opening a 36-26 halftime. Dodd had six points and three rebounds to lead the Panthers in the first half. Leer led all scorers with 14 points along with seven rebounds for AU.

Senior Ashlee' Samuels hit a layup in the paint to lead off the second half and Brown added a short jump shot as HPU scored the first four points of the second period to trim the American lead to 36-30.

Two straight threes by the Eagles' Michelle Kirk gave AU a 14-point lead, 46-32, before junior Mackenzie Maier hit a three of her own from the left elbow to make the score 46-35.

American slowly pulled away down the stretch, outscoring HPU 21-11 to pick up the 67-46 win. High Point scored all but two points from the line as the Panthers made just one field goal in the final 8:19 of the game.

Brown scored six points in the final minutes to finish with 10 in the game and both Samuels and junior LaTeisha Dean grabbed a team-best seven rebounds for the Panthers in the loss.

Kirk finished with 22 points for the Eagles to lead all scorers and grabbed seven rebounds while Leer finished with 16 points and a game-best nine rebounds.

With the loss, High Point falls to 2-5 on the season, including a 0-4 mark on the road. American evens it record at 3-3.

The Panthers will next return home to kickoff a four-game home stand with a game against Campbell on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in the Millis Center. The game against the Camels is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.