Box Score

LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University women's basketball team scored its first victory of the season, rallying in the second half to take down Lakeland 49-38 at the Rice Center.

The contest opened as a defensive struggle with both squads combining to hit just 13 first half shots. Benedictine raced to a nine-point lead early, exploding out of the games with a 9-0 run over four minutes to open an 11-2 lead when Katie Hunzinger hit a jumper in the paint. The Eagles continued to lead at 14-5 before a lengthy spell.

Lakeland embarked on an 11-0 run as Benedictine failed to score for over 10 minutes from the 12:29 mark until Briana Hamilton scored with :53 left in the opening frame. The Muskies held a slim 18-16 advantage at the break. Benedictine shot just 20.7 percent in the open half with Lakeland finishing 30.4 percent. Both teams were a combined 1-for-16 from three-point range.

The second half opened similar to the first with a strong start for the Eagles as both teams settled down and started to score consistently. Benedictine led 33-26 with a Michelle Gaede layup at the 14:28 mark. Lakeland was able to pull within four points at 36-32 with 8:44 remaining but an 11-3 run finished with another Hunzinger layup built the advantage to 47-35 and the visitors could never recover.

Hunzinger led all scorers with 19 points and also added eight rebounds, falling just shy of a third consecutive double-double. Gaede added 12 points. The Eagles finished the afternoon with a huge 26-7 advantage on points in the paint and also held a 40-33 lead on the glass. Benedictine shot 50 percent in the second half.

Benedictine (1-5, 1-1) will aim for consecutive victories on Tuesday with a home contest against Aurora. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. in the Rice Center on a White Out. Wear white to the game.