The AU Women's Basketball team lost to Team Concept, 66-54 Saturday night at Bender Arena in an exhibition contest.
AU was led by senior forward Chanel Hunt, who scored 13 points, and senior guard Joanna Barnes, who scored 11.
The Eagles were hurt by poor shooting from the field (32%) and from behind the arc (27%), and were outrebounded 51-31, including 18 offensive boards from Team Concept.
Chandra Johnson led Concept with 20 points and 14 rebounds and Alayne Ingram scored 18 points, including the first ten.
"We just had some 5-6 minute breakdowns in each half, where we lost focus and momentum," said Eagles coach Melissa McFerrin, who made her debut with the Eagles, after coming over from Minnesota.
The Eagles led for most of the first half, but with 3:26 left in the first half, A Johnson putback gave Team Concept a 20-19 lead that they never gave back. They closed the half on a 10-3 run to enter the locker room with a 30-22 lead.
After going back and forth for the first six minutes of the second half, the Eagles pulled within four on a Hunt putback and Tala Hadavi three-pointer with 14:00 minutes left. Ingram answered with a three of her own and AU got within five the rest of the way.
"We definitely could've played better, so I'm a little disappointed," said McFerrin. The effort and intensity just weren't there.
Along with McFerrin, starting point guard Hadavi debuted for the Eagles after sitting out last year due to transfer requirements. She scored 9 points on three of 13 shooting and dished out three assists in 36 minutes of action.
"Tala is doing everything we've asked her to. She's so excited to get in there and play," said McFerrin. "She could have pulled down of those threes and penetrated, but that will come."
The poor shooting was caused by a lack of inside presence, as center Kim Salem scored only six points, as she was outmatched physically by a much taller and more physical Team Concept.
"We definitely had trouble with their mass," said McFerrin.
The Eagles ran a motion offense, with Hadavi and Barnes proving effective on the outside, with Hunt penetrating. Hunt struggled from the field, hitting only four of shots, but she grabbed eight rebounds and had four assists in 30 minutes.
McFerrin noted Hunt's fatigue, but acknowledged what Hunt has done for the team, as the senior leader and all-Patriot League pick. Along with Hunt, senior forward Jenyce Woodruff provided defensive intensity to go along with her five points.
McFerrin showed a short bench, staying mainly with her five starters, and bringing sophomore swingman Tara Williams off the bench along with freshmen Katie Hirschler and Natalie Walker.
"Natalie's got some size and she played well tonight, and Katie's still trying to play her way into the system, but we like both of them a lot," said McFerrin of her freshmen.
Showing the same defensive intensity that got them to the PL Championship last year, the Eagles forced 20 turnovers and grabbed nine steals from Team Concept.
The Eagles officially begin their 2004 campaign this Friday when they travel to Kent State to take on the MAC competitors in a tough, early-season showdown.
