Sophomore forwards Liz Leer and Michelle Kirk averaged over 12 points per game and six rebounds per game while leading the AU women's basketball team to a 4-3 record over winter break.
The Eagles began their break with two home games against Princeton University on Dec. 19, and Georgetown University on Dec. 21.
Against Princeton, Leer led all scorers with 17 points and helped the Eagles defeat the Tigers 59-44. Senior point guard Pam Stanfield organized the Eagles' offense with six assists while Kirk anchored the defense with six defensive rebounds.
Two days later, the Eagles suffered their first and only home loss of the season against the Georgetown Hoyas. The Hoyas led by four points at the half, and the Eagles went on a 7-2 run early in second half to go up by one. Leer recorded her second career double-double with 12 points second half points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to silence the Hoyas. Georgetown pulled ahead late in the game and finished with a 69-54 victory.
After Christmas, the Eagles went on the road in Virginia and faced the Radford University Highlanders and the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams.
The Eagles defeated the Highlanders 68-45, as Leer and Kirk led the offense with 17 points apiece. Senior guard Talicia Jackson recorded a game-high eight rebounds, while redshirt junior guard Nicole Ryan chipped in 10 points.
Despite Kirk's second straight game of 17 points, the Eagles could not hold back the Rams' offense, losing 67-63. The Rams led by seven after the first half, but the Eagles fought back and took the lead with less the four minutes left to play in the game. The Rams went on a 7-2 run and distanced the Eagles from any chance of regaining the lead.
The Eagles entered 2009 with two straight home victories.
In their first game of 2009, the Eagles scored a season-high 87 points as they defeated the Columbia University Lions by 21. Leer, Kirk and Jackson all finished the game scoring in double figures with 18, 14 and 12 points, respectively.
In their final non-conference game of the season, the Eagles defeated the Brown Bears 60-43. Ryan led all scorers with 21 points and finished the game a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. The Eagles as a team finished the game shooting 91 percent from the free throw line, making 20 out of 22 shots.
The Eagles began Patriot League play on Jan. 10 against the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks in Bethlehem, Pa.
Despite a career-high 21 points from Kirk, the Hawks led by as much as 22 points and defeated the Eagles 77-69. The Eagles finished the game on a 15-3 run to narrow the Hawks lead to eight points, but time expired before the Eagles could finish the game on top.
You can reach this reporter at sports@theeagleonline.com.
