The AU women's basketball team suffered a disappointing 61-48 defeat to Furman Tuesday night in Greenville, S.C. The loss drops AU to 2-5 about a month away from Patriot League play.
The Eagles started well and took an 18-15 lead with eight minutes left in the first half after an Abby Lipskis layup.ÿThe Eagles then lost the lead, but cut the halftime deficit to 29-28 on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by freshman guard Pam Stanfield.
"As has been the case all year, we've started out well and faded in the second half," AU coach Melissa McFerrin said. "Call it mental and physical toughness, but whatever it is, we just don't have it right now."
Senior guard Tala Hadavi led AU with 15 points and four rebounds, but also committed a game-high nine turnovers that resulted from endless Furman pressure in AU's backcourt.ÿLipskis scored 12 and pulled down nine rebounds.
"Tala played well tonight," McFerrin said, "but she didn't get much help."
Furman outscored the Eagles, 32-20, in the second half. Melynda Gant came off the bench to lead the Paladins with 17 points. Tommi Paris scored 14 and Jessica Lange scored 11.ÿ
For AU, one of the highlights so far has been the play of freshmen Stanfield, Nicole Ryan, Sahar Nusseibeh, Talicia Jackson and Tish Curry.ÿBut Tuesday, McFerrin said the freshmen played "uninspired basketball" and didn't play as well as they have early on.ÿ
Stanfield led the freshmen with five points, five rebounds, and four assists. Ryan and Jackson were held scoreless.ÿ
Next up for the Eagles are three games in Washington, but all at different locations.ÿ Saturday, AU hosts the Penn Quakers at 4:00 p.m. Monday they travel to Howard before ten days off followed by a clash at Georgetown.ÿ
"We need to get better and play with more intensity," McFerrin said.ÿ
Her young team will have that chance in the confines of their own city.
