American University women’s basketball fans witnessed a heart-stopping finish on Sunday afternoon as the Eagles held off a furious late comeback from UMBC, securing a 65-61 victory in Washington, D.C. The win bookends American’s nonconference season, but it was anything but routine—UMBC, trailing by as many as 20 points in the third period, clawed back to within a single possession in the dying seconds, leaving everyone in Bender Arena on the edge of their seats.
From the opening tip, both teams struggled to find their rhythm. At the 6:08 mark in the first quarter, the scoreboard read just 4-4, a testament to the defensive pressure and early-game jitters on both sides. It was Anna Rescifina who broke the deadlock for American, converting a layup off a slick pass from Madisyn Moore-Nicholson. The Eagles managed to eke out a 12-8 lead after the first quarter, but it was clear that neither squad was going to run away with things easily—at least, not yet.
The second quarter saw American begin to assert itself. Moore-Nicholson, who would go on to match her career high with 20 points, drilled a three-pointer that pushed the Eagles’ lead to 22-14, forcing a UMBC timeout with just under six minutes to play in the half. By halftime, American held a comfortable 32-21 advantage. Both Moore-Nicholson and Charlotte Tuhy had already crossed into double figures, with Tuhy notching 11 points and six rebounds, leading all players at the break.
Coming out of the locker room, American looked poised to put the game away for good. The Eagles opened the third period on a tear, outscoring the Retrievers 17-8 at one point and ballooning their lead to 20. Moore-Nicholson and Tuhy continued to pile up the points, each reaching 16 as the final period began. Rescifina chipped in with eight points, and for the first time all season, the Eagles led in points in the paint, 36-34. But the bench production told a different story: American managed just two points off the bench compared to UMBC’s 20, a stat that would loom large as the game wore on.
UMBC, for their part, refused to go quietly. Jade Tillman, the Retrievers’ leading scorer all season, put up 13 points to go along with seven rebounds and four steals. She’s been red-hot lately, scoring at least 12 points in four straight contests and raising her season average from 10.7 to 12.2 points per game. Tillman’s relentless effort on both ends kept UMBC afloat, even as American threatened to run away with it.
The fourth quarter was a rollercoaster. American led 55-43 with just 4:30 remaining, seemingly in control. But UMBC had other ideas. Trailing by 13 with just over two minutes left, the Retrievers began to chip away. Lauren Thompson sparked the rally with a deep three-pointer at the 1:55 mark, trimming the deficit to 10. Maisie Crowley converted a Carmen Yáñez assist just a minute later, igniting a 5-0 UMBC run. Suddenly, the Eagles’ lead didn’t look so safe.
With 26 seconds remaining, Dagny Slomack nailed a three to pull UMBC within five. After a Tuhy free throw, Slomack stepped to the line and calmly sank two more, closing the gap to just four points with 11 seconds left. American’s Lexi Salazar responded by making both of her free throws, but Yáñez answered right back, draining a three-pointer with just two seconds on the clock to make it a one-possession game. The Retrievers, who finished with a whopping 12 steals (including three from Alaina Williams), simply ran out of time—American inbounded the ball and the final buzzer sounded, sealing the Eagles’ 65-61 triumph.
“We knew they’d make a run,” said American head coach Megan Gebbia (as reported by the school’s official release). “UMBC’s a tough team, and they never quit. I’m proud of how our team responded when things got tight.”
Statistically, the Eagles leaned heavily on their starting duo. Moore-Nicholson was everywhere—her 20 points came with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Tuhy matched her career high with 20 points and added eight boards, falling just two shy of her seventh double-double. Tuhy also set a new career scoring mark, surpassing her previous best of 13 points. The Eagles’ dominance in the paint was a first for the season, but their lack of bench scoring nearly cost them. UMBC’s reserves, led by contributions from Kennedy Austin (eight points, three assists), H. Williams (seven points), and Crowley (seven points), kept the visitors within striking distance.
UMBC’s late-game surge was orchestrated by a balanced attack. In addition to Tillman’s all-around performance, Thompson, Crowley, Slomack, and Yáñez all played key roles in the closing minutes. The Retrievers’ aggressive defense forced turnovers and foul trouble—three American players finished with four fouls, and the final moments became a parade to the free-throw line.
“We just kept believing,” said UMBC head coach Johnetta Hayes (according to UMBC’s postgame summary). “No matter how big the deficit, this team fights. We’re proud of the effort, but we have to start games stronger.”
For American, the victory marks a high note to end the nonconference slate. The Eagles now turn their attention to Patriot League play, opening on December 31 against Loyola Maryland in Baltimore. That game will be available for streaming on ESPN+ at 1 p.m., and fans are eager to see if Moore-Nicholson and Tuhy can continue their dynamic play as the stakes rise.
UMBC, meanwhile, will regroup and look to build on their gritty second-half performance as they prepare to host Notre Dame (Md.) on December 30 at 6:30 p.m. The Retrievers’ late-game firepower and defensive intensity suggest they’ll be a tough out in their upcoming contests, especially if Tillman maintains her impressive scoring streak.
What a game it was—full of swings, clutch plays, and heart-stopping drama. For American, holding on for the win after nearly surrendering a massive lead will offer lessons as they enter conference play. For UMBC, the narrow defeat will sting, but the fight they showed in the closing minutes is sure to inspire confidence moving forward. One thing’s certain: both teams left it all on the court, and fans can’t wait to see what comes next.
