WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by a singular, decisive surge, the American University Eagles overcame a frigid start and a significant early deficit to defeat the Boston University Terriers 53-45 in a Patriot League women’s basketball contest on Saturday at Bender Arena.

The most critical phase of the game arrived in the second quarter, where American authored a stunning 22-4 run that completely reversed the trajectory of the afternoon. Boston University, which had controlled the opening period behind the interior presence of Anete Adler and led 11-6 after one quarter, saw its offense vanish. The Terriers managed just four points in the entire second frame, missing 12 of their 14 shot attempts and committing five turnovers.

American, conversely, found its rhythm. Sparked by guard Molly Driscoll of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who scored seven of her team-high 15 points during the run, and facilitated by the all-around play of Madisyn Moore-Nicholson, the Eagles turned a five-point deficit into a 28-15 halftime lead. Moore-Nicholson, a guard from Odenton, Maryland, recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while also dishing out four assists. The Eagles’ 22-point quarter was more than they scored in any other period and stood in stark contrast to their six-point first quarter.

Boston University never fully recovered from that drought, despite a valiant second-half effort. The Terriers, led by Adler’s 12 points and five rebounds from Keila, Estonia, chipped away in the third quarter, outscoring American 16-10 to close the gap to 38-31. They pulled within six points on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter, the last at 47-41 following an Audrey Ericksen three-pointer with 7:18 to play.

Each time, however, American had an answer. After Ericksen’s three, Laura Nogues of Sabadell, Spain, immediately responded with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession. When Boston University’s Hildur Gunnsteinsdóttir made a layup to cut the lead to 50-45 with 3:44 remaining, the Eagles clamped down defensively. The Terriers would not score again, missing their final five shots and committing two turnovers in the closing minutes. A free throw by Nogues with five seconds left provided the final margin.

The statistical sheet underscored a game of poor shooting but pivotal differences in ball security. Both teams struggled from the field; American shot 29.2 percent on 19-of-65 shooting, while Boston University was marginally better at 33.3 percent on 18-of-54. From three-point range, the Eagles made 7 of 32 attempts and the Terriers just 3 of 19. The decisive advantage came in turnovers, where American committed only seven compared to Boston University’s 16. The Eagles converted those miscues into crucial extra possessions, attempting one more field goal than the Terriers despite both teams having a nearly identical number of possessions.

Defense and rebounding were central themes. American’s Ellie Pingree of Bow, New Hampshire, anchored the paint with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Adler matched that block total for Boston University. The Eagles won the rebounding battle 46-44, including a 13-11 edge on the offensive glass.

For Boston University, SiSi Bentley of Hartford, Connecticut, contributed six points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes. Ericksen, from Cary, North Carolina, added five points, six rebounds and a block. Gunnsteinsdóttir of Selfoss, Iceland, finished with seven points.

American also received seven points and six rebounds from Nogues, while Anna Rescifina of Messina, Italy, chipped in six points and four rebounds.

The victory improved American’s record to 3-10 overall and marked its first Patriot League win of the season. Boston University fell to 4-9. The result was an upset according to pregame analytics; Interstat’s ELO system had projected the Terriers with a 79.1 percent probability to win.

Both teams continue Patriot League play on Wednesday. American will host Colgate, while Boston University returns home to face Lafayette.