Redshirt junior guard Nicole Ryan scored a game-high 17 points to lead the AU women's basketball team to a 63-47 victory over Colgate University Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Eagles' record to 12-6 on the season and 2-1 in the Patriot League.
The game started off strong for the Eagles, as the team went on a quick 13-6 run in the first seven and a half minutes of the first half on the strength of three three-pointers by senior guard Talicia Jackson, Ryan and freshman guard Lisa Strack.
AU would extend its lead to 29-9 with just under seven minutes remaining in the opening half on Ryan's third three-pointer of the half before sophomore forward Michelle Kirk hit a pair of free-throws with 7.1 seconds on the clock to give the Eagles a 36-21 lead entering the locker room.
The Eagles came out just as strong in the second half of play as well, going on a quick 9-5 run to go up by 19 points - 45-26.
This large margin would not last throughout the rest of the game, as Colgate slowly started to chip away and cut the lead down to 10 at 55-45 with only 3:24 to play in the game.
Ryan came up huge again, hitting back to back baskets to put the Eagles back up by 15, en route to their eventual 63-47 win.
Ryan led all scorers with 17 points while sophomore forward Liz Leer and Jackson each scored double-digits with 11 and 10, respectively.
You can reach this staff writer at jhall@theeagleonline.com.
