Women's Basketball Loses to American, 61-51

Courtesy: Jennifer Werner, Associate Director of Athletic Communications
Release: 12/10/2006

PHILADELPHIA--Penn led at the half but fell victim to American's aggressive play
Sunday at The Palestra. Seniors Monica Naltner and Joey Rhoads led the Quakers once
again with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Penn fell to 3-4 on the season while
American improved to 4-7.

American scored seven points while the Quakers' cold shooting (0-for-7) put Penn in
a hole early. Kelly Scott's three-pointer at 14:58 started things for the Red and
Blue and though tying the game twice, the home team did not take the lead until the
final three minutes of the half. Newcomer Caitlin Slover and Rhoads drove in for
three layups and gave the Quakers a 26-23 lead when the buzzer sounded.

Naltner, who had played sat for a large part of the first half after being saddled
with two fouls, came back in the game scoring a jumper at 18:10 to give Penn a
seven-point lead, its largest of the day.

American battled back with points from Maggie Smith-Davidson had 11 in the game and
just missed a double-double with nine boards. AU's Liz Hayes led all scorers with
19 points.

For Penn, sophomore Maggie Burgess was strong inside with seven boards and two
blocks (tying her career high).

The clock continued to tick as the teams traded baskets. The Eagles started to inch
away with 6:31 remaining and slicing their deficit to just two with 1:49 to go, the
Quakers were unable to get enough shots to seal a win.

Penn is back in action at The Palestra, Dec. 21 to take on neighbor Drexel at 1 p.m.