Box Score | Highlights

BOSTON - Troi Melton's career performance wasn't enough to get past top-ranked American and the Boston University women's basketball team lost a battle with the Eagles, 58-50, on Wednesday night in Case Gym.

Melton's stat line featured a career-high 23 points and two blocks, two steals and zero turnovers. The redshirt junior shot 9-of-15 from the field, sinking the most field goals of her career, and went a perfect 4-of-4 from the foul line.

Overall, the Terriers shot nearly 42 percent from the field (20-48) including 44 percent in the second half, keeping pace with the best offensive team in the conference. The Eagles shot just over 40 percent overall, which was less than their 44.5 percent season average.

The Terriers attacked the rim throughout the game, outscoring American 26-24 in the paint, and stayed away from outside shooting, putting up just six 3-point attempts throughout the game.

BU kept its turnovers to a minimum, improving from the last few outings and committing just 14 miscues, though American was quick to capitalize on all of those opportunities, scoring 17 points off of Terrier turnovers. The Eagles also used their second chance opportunities well, turning 12 offensive boards into 17 points.

Jen Dumiak led the Eagles with 23 points and seven assists while Michelle Holmes had a near double-double, grabbing 12 rebounds and scoring nine points.

The Eagles got off to a fast start, scoring the first seven points of the game, but the Terriers didn't let the deficit get the best of them, and started converting on their possessions. BU's first field goal of the game was a Melton 3-pointer, the first of her career. From there the Terriers kept the game within reach, cutting American's lead to as little as three points late in the first half.

American answered with an 8-0 run over the final six minutes of the period, however, to reach the largest lead of the half, 32-21.

The Eagles kept the pressure on to start the second half, steadily increasing their advantage until they reached their largest lead of the game, 14 points, six minutes into the final stanza.

BU answered with a 6-0 run and got the American advantage down to single digits and continued to pressure for the remainder of the game. The Eagles would not let the Terriers closer than within seven points, however, and BU settled for a 58-50 loss, a vast improvement from the 75-45 loss the Terriers suffered against American earlier this season.

The Terriers are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they play their last home game of the season. BU is set to host Bucknell at 5 p.m. in Case Gym and will honor senior Mollie McKendrick.