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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
American
Players Mentioned
Micir's 14 Points Not Enough in 59-44 Loss at American
December 19, 2008 | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON, D.C. (12/19/08) ? Liz Leer had a game-high 17 points to lead American to a 59-44 win over Princeton in women's basketball on Friday, Dec. 19 at Bender Arena.
Nicole Ryan was also in double figures with 10 points, and Michelle Kirk led the Eagles on the glass with seven rebounds. Pam Stanfield handed out six assists and Leer also grabbed four blocks.
Sophomore Addie Micir led Princeton with 14 points, shooting 4-8 from behind the arc. Freshman Lauren Edwards contributed eight points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in her first collegiate start, and classmate Laura Johnson added six points and three assists. Senior Julia Berger was the leader under the basket with seven rebounds.
“We did a really good job on the defensive end,” Coach Banghart said. “We held a team that averages 73 points at home to just 59. They had nine offensive rebounds in the first half, and ended the game with 12 so we slowed them up after the half.”
Princeton started the game with back-to-back baskets but American countered with an 8-0 run to give the Eagles an 8-4 lead. The teams traded baskets and a three-point basket by sophomore Krystal Hill tied the game at 10-10 at 12:56.
American scored the next four points but sophomore Addie Micir hit a pair from downtown to give Princeton a 16-14 lead at 8:58.
The Eagles would hold Princeton scoreless for the next four minutes as they went on an 11-0 run to set the score at 28-16 with 4:37 to play in the half. Junior Cheryl Stevens ended the scoring drought with a jumper and a pair of free throws from senior Julia Berger added to the Princeton's side of the scoring column. A three by Nicole Ryan gave American its largest lead of the half, an 11-point lead, as the teams headed into the locker room with the score at 31-20.
American hit its first two buckets of the second half to stretch its lead to 36-20. For the next nine minutes it was all Tigers as Princeton had a 17-5 run to make it a four-point game, 41-37 at 8:17. Freshmen Lauren Edwards and Laura Johnson each had six points during that run, with Micir hitting a three and Berger adding a lay-up.
A basket by Kristin Coles sparked an 11-0 Eagle run, giving American a 52-37 lead and demolishing the effort the Tigers just put in leaving them scoreless for the next five minutes. A three by Micir ended the scoring drought at 3:09.
American closed out the game with seven points to Princeton's four.
“We need our kids to take open shots and have toughness that comes from creating shots,” Coach Banghart. “We were within four and then they went on an 11-0 run. That's due to inexperience, turnovers and that we didn't play hard on offense. We need to cultivate our aggression earlier, not when we're down.”
Princeton shot 31.4 percent (16-51) for the game and made seven of its 16 shots from long range, for a 43.8 percentage. The Tigers only made seven trips to the foul line and sank five of them, for 71.4 percent.
American shot 40.4 percent (21-52), and hit 6-of-18 three-point baskets. The Eagles were perfect at the charity stripe, nailing all 11 free throws.
The Eagles had 33 rebounds to the Tigers' 29.
Princeton (4-6) will face 2008 NCAA Sweet Sixteen team George Washington on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.