The AU women’s basketball team overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat the Navy Midshipmen 55-52 and win the Patriot League regular season crown Feb. 15 in Annapolis, Md.
The victory gives the Eagles (19-6, 11-0 PL) their third straight PL regular season championship and fourth in the last five seasons. The Eagles are also riding a program-best 11-game winning streak as they look to finish undefeated in conference play.
"Halftime came at a really good time for us," AU Head Coach Matt Corkery told AU Athletics. "The first half was played at our tempo, but Navy knocked down shots and played really well. Our team stayed really positive at halftime and we played with a ton of energy in the second half. I am proud of how we bounced back."
Alexis Dobbs led AU with nine points on 4-10 shooting while tallying five rebounds and four assists.
Lisa Strack added eight points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Tori Halvorsen chipped in eight points in 27 minutes of action.
Jade Geif led Navy (14-11, 7-4 PL) with 14 points, while Audrey Bauer totaled 10.
The Eagles and Midshipmen were tied 21-21 with 7:03 remaining in the first half when Navy made its run.
The Midshipmen ended the half on a 15-0 run to take a 36-21 lead and all the momentum into the locker room. During the run, the Mids were 7-11 from the field while AU was 0-10 with two turnovers.
But the Eagles refused to give in, soaring with a 13-0 run to begin the second half. Strack started the spurt with two free throws nine seconds into the half, and Ebony Edwards, Jen Dumiak and Dobbs followed with jumpers.
After Halvorsen’s two free throws and Dobbs’s 3-pointer, the Eagles were right back in the game, trailing 36-34 with 16:19 to play.
Strack completed the comeback, tying the game at 41-all with two free throws.
Three minutes later, Ebony Edwards’ jumper put the Eagles up 45-44, and AU would never relinquish the lead over the game’s final 6:48.
The Eagles opened their advantage to four at 51-47 after Edwards went 1-2 from the line, and Dobbs later connected on a clutch jumper to put AU up 53-50 with 2:55 to go.
Navy sliced the lead to one, but missed all four of its shots in the game’s final two minutes when it was in position to either tie or take the lead.
After Strack made two free throws with 10 seconds left for a 55-52 AU advantage, Bauer missed a game-tying 3-pointer and the Eagles celebrated their PL regular season championship.
AU shot 48 percent from the field in the second half, outscoring Navy 34-16. The Mids shot 55 percent in the first half, but only 29 percent in the second.
AU will next take on the Army Black Knights Feb. 18, in the regular season finale at Bender Arena. Edwards, Halvorsen and Strack will be honored prior to the game in a Senior Day ceremony.
With three games remaining, the Eagles have already clinched the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage in the Patriot League Tournament. AU will host the PL Quarterfinals March 1.
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