The American University women’s basketball team (1-27) fell short against the Colgate Raiders (22-8) in their Senior Day game at Bender Arena on March 1. Colgate came into the matchup ranked third in the Patriot League standings, looking to improve their seeding in the upcoming conference tournament. American remains in last with just a single win in league play. The Raiders previously blew out the Eagles 85-43 in an away matchup on Jan. 25.
In the Senior Day ceremony prior to the game, senior guard Bailey Garbee was recognized with a framed jersey and was met by cheers from a loud section of family and friends in attendance. Garbee has averaged 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game over the course of her four years at American. Graduate student guard Ivy Bales was also acknowledged as she wraps up her final year of collegiate eligibility. Bales’ 599 career rebounds and 343 assists rank eighth and seventh all-time for American, respectively.
The Eagles started the game strong, winning the tip and opening the scoring with Garbee hitting a fadeaway jump shot. Freshman forward Cecilia Kay added on with a layup, cutting to the basket on a nice feed from Bales.
Colgate got on the board with a layup before 3-pointers began to rain down on both ends of the floor, two for each team. The game’s tempo slowed slightly as both teams cooled off, but another 3-pointer and long 2-point jumper gave Colgate a 17-14 lead to end the first quarter.
The Raiders exploited the Eagles’ zone defense in the second quarter, cashing in open look after open look from beyond the arc. The Raiders’ defense also tightened up, keeping American away from the basket and forcing them to take tough shots.
Garbee continued to aggressively drive the lane, and junior guard Anna Rescifina hit a much-needed 3-pointer for the Eagles, but Colgate responded every time. The half came to a close with Colgate up 39-27, shooting 7-16 from three.
The teams traded buckets coming out of the locker room. Garbee hit a pull-up jumper plus the foul, which was followed by yet another 3-pointer for Colgate. American called a timeout with 7:06 to go in the third quarter, which seemed to produce some adjustments. The Eagles’ defense tightened up, and they began to chip away at Colgate’s lead.
An easy layup for Kay and a pretty fadeaway for Bales cut the deficit to nine. Garbee fought tooth and nail to get her team back into the game, making a 3-pointer to bring American within 4 points to force a Colgate timeout. The momentum was in the Eagles’ favor, and the crowd, sensing the moment, was on its feet. However, fouls by the Eagles repeatedly sent the Raiders to the free-throw line, where they went 7-8 in the third quarter, keeping American at bay. With just 10 minutes to play, Colgate led 57-49.
Rescifina drew 2 fouls to open the fourth quarter, hitting 3 of her 4 free throw attempts and bringing the Eagles back within 5 points. American’s momentum faded from there as the Raiders exploited poor transition defense to rebuild their lead.
The Eagles, down 13, called a timeout with 5:02 left to play. Rescifina hit a desperately needed 3-pointer, but it was too little, too late as Colgate went on to hit three unanswered 3-pointers to pull away. Bales and Garbee were subbed out in the final minutes of the game, giving the fans one last chance to applaud their careers and contributions to the program. Colgate won with a final score of 83-64.
Colgate out-rebounded American 35-24, and their 48 percent shooting from beyond the arc was too much for the Eagles to overcome. Kay continued to build on an outstanding freshman season with 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Garbee finished the game with 3 assists and a career-high 17 points on just seven attempts from the floor.
Garbee reflected following the game, “I think I’ve always been a ‘pass first’ player, and tonight I kind of just wanted to shoot, have my game, and then pass,” she said with a smile. “It feels really good.”
Eagles head coach Tiffany Coll praised the senior’s performance.
“I’m really proud of Bailey. I thought that she came out on both ends of the floor and led us.” Speaking to Garbee’s contributions off the court, Coll said, “I see her leading the freshmen and hanging out with them … that makes my day.”
The Eagles play their final game of the regular season on March 6 in Bender Arena against the Bucknell Bison. On March 8 they will hit the road to take on the to-be-determined seven seed in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament.
This article was edited by Connor Sturniolo, Penelope Jennings and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella, Sabine Kanter-Huchting and Hannah Langenfeld.
