Box Score

LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University women's basketball team took a 34-27 halftime lead after shooting 52.2 percent from the field to help them defeat Marian University, 64-60, on Saturday afternoon in the Northern Athletics Conference Challenge Game.

The win did not change the status of the women's game on Wednesday, February 22. No. 8 seeded Benedictine will still travel to No. 1 seeded Wisconsin Lutheran for a 7:00 p.m. contest in the first round of the NAC Tournament.

After allowing Marian (13-12) a five-point lead to start the game, the Eagles (10-15) gained momentum on a three-pointer from Megan Novak and never looked back. A Katie Hunzinger jumper gave BenU their largest lead of the half as the Eagles took a 34-27 halftime lead over the Sabres.

Benedictine's offense caught fire early in the second half, going up by as many as 12 with another three from Novak. The Sabres did not give up, slowly chipping away at their deficit. A three-pointer by Alexis Becker put MU within six. After BenU foul trouble, the Sabres came within three but a jumper from Kam Haifleigh and a layup from Michelle Gaede sealed the victory for the Eagles, 64-60.

Novak led BenU with 16 points while Hunzinger and Haifleigh also scored in double-figures with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Hunzinger also tallied a season high 14 rebounds.

As a team, the Eagles shot 43.8 percent from the floor (21-48) and out-rebounded MU 35-30.

To watch the BenU/Wisconsin Luthergan game on Wednesday night, visit the WLC athletic site here http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wlcsports-video. Tip-off is at 7:00 pm