WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The American University women's basketball was able to tie Sunday's game and send it to overtime, but Hampton's Alyssa Bennett drained the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Pirates to a 61-58 overtime victory in Bender Arena.Shaquilla Curtis hit a jumper with five seconds remaining in regulation to send it to overtime, but Hampton (11-5) went 3-of-4 from the line to start the extra period to take a 54-51 advantage. The Eagles were never able to take the lead in overtime, despite tying the game three times. Curtis came up with a steal after free throws from Geleisa George tied it at 58 with 1:25 remaining, but George missed the jumper and the Pirates were able to hang onto the ball for the final shot.
"You have to give Hampton credit for hitting a big game-winning shot," said Head Coach Matt Corkery. "It was a competitive game that will pay off for us down the road. Now we shift our focus to Patriot League play."
Michelle Holmes registered her first career double-double in the game with a career-best 11 points and 11 rebounds, going 5-for-7 from the floor. George also scored in double figures, matching her career-high with 13 points while Stephanie Anya and Curtis added eight each. Curtis and Micaela Sancisi tallied three assists apiece for the Eagles.
American (7-7) took the early lead in the game, with Ti'Asia McGeorge drilling in the three-pointer for the 9-5 advantage at the 16:44 mark. The Eagles went up by 10 after a jumper from Sarah Kiely on the dish from Sancisi and back-to-back jumpers from George maintained the 23-14 lead with 6:30 to play. The Pirates were able to chip away at American's lead in the closing minutes of the half, with a lay-up from JoNiquia Guilford putting the score at 30-23 heading into the intermission.
The Eagles out shot Hampton from the floor, 44.4 to 34.5 percent, hitting four three-pointers in the first half while the Pirates went just 1-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Hampton opened the second half on a 10-0 run before Curtis sank a pair of free throws to cut the Pirates' lead to one, 33-32. Five straight points from George, including a three-point play, gave American back the lead and Holmes laid it in to put the Eagles up 45-41 with 7:17 to play as Hampton called a timeout. The Pirates took a 51-49 lead with 1:20 to play after Bennett knocked it away and laid it in, but Curtis was able to hit the jumper to tie it.
Three players scored in double-digits for Hampton led by 18 points from Bennett. Keiara Avant notched a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Nicole Hamilton added 12 points with a team-best five assists.
American shot 38.6 percent for the game but went 4-of-14 from beyond the arc. Hampton went 34.8 percent from the field, hitting just two three-pointers.
The Eagles open Patriot League play on Saturday, January 12 at 2 p.m. when they host Colgate. The game will be broadcast live on Patriot League All*Access.
BOX SCORE
COURTESY AMERICAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES ATHLETICS
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