March 3, 2007

2007 Patriot League Women's Basketball Tournament Page

No. 4 American 68, No. 5 Navy 55 Box Score

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Guards Liz Hayes and Nicole Ryan combined to score 46 points to lead American to a 68-55 victory over host Navy in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament on Saturday.

Ryan drained five 3-pointers in netting 25 points for fourth-seeded American (12-18), which advanced to play Colgate in Sunday's semifinals. Hayes added 21 points for the Eagles, who had not won a tournament game since reaching the championship in 2004.

Center Abby Lipskis had a solid all-around game with seven points, 10 rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.

Betsy Burnett scored 16 points while frontcourt mate Kate Hobbs had 14 for Navy, which rallied from a seven-point deficit to take a 39-38 lead three minutes into the second half. However, American responded with an 18-4 run to take a 56-43 lead with 9:37 remaining. Navy got within six on two occasions, but could not complete another rally.

Carly Meyer, a First-Team All-Patriot League pick, was held to eight points on 4-for-17 field goal shooting by Ryan. Meyer was 0-for-9 from 3-point range.

Patriot League Tournament Notes

* American's win was the first for third-year head coach Melissa McFerrin in the Patriot League Tournament

* The last time American advanced to the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament was in 2004 when it played in the championship game as the No. 2 seed, falling to top-seeded Colgate.

* Navy seniors Kate Hobbs and Carly Meyer end their careers ranked 42nd (551) and 48th (524), respectively on the Patriot League's career rebounding list.