BOX SCORE

AURORA, Ill. - The Eagles had a two-point halftime lead over rival Aurora University but could not hold on as the Spartans edged Benedictine 63-58.

Aurora (5-13, 2-9) jumped out to an early lead with a 10-0 run to start the first half. The Eagles (11-6, 7-4) regrouped and went on a 10-0 run of their own to tie the game. Both teams would exchange leads for the rest of the half and a Colleen Forkin jumper would put BenU up 33-31 going into halftime.

A three-pointer by Forkin put the Eagles up by six to start the second half, but the Aurora offense, which shot 43.1 percent in the game (22-for-51) would answer right back and took a five-point lead with 7:00 left on the clock.

WIth just over a minute remaining, Lidia Arias drained a three-pointer to put the Eagles within two, but as the seconds ticked away Benedictine could not find a way to pull out the win, falling to the Spartans, 58-63.

Forkin led BenU with a season high 18 points (7-for-14). Tracey Walsh had 12 points while Arias had eight points, five rebounds, four steals and three blocks.

As a team, the Eagles shot 36.4 percent from the floor (20-for-55) and were out-rebounded 43-26. The BenU defense did force 28 turnovers on 12 steals.

Jessica Mason scored 15 points for Aurora.

Benedictine women's hoops are back in action this Saturday, January 29, when they host Alverno College at 2:00 p.m. in the Dan and Ada Rice Center.