Box Score

LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University women's basketball team moved into the semifinals of the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament with a 53-42 win over visiting Alverno on Saturday night.

Benedictine never trailed in the contest but a sluggish first half saw just 29 total points. The Eagles netted the first five points of the contest but both teams struggled shooting the ball. Benedictine led by eight points at 13-5 when Meghan Novak connected on a jumper with 6:09 to play in the opening half of play.

Novak hit a three just over a minute later but Benedictine did not score another point the entire half. Alverno was only able to score three during the span to go into the locker room trailing 16-13. The two teams combined to hit just 12 shots in the half with Alverno shooting just 15.6 percent from the field.

Benedictine scored five quick points to open the second half, all from Vincenza Ranallo. Ranallo drained a three with 16:32 to play to make the score 27-17. The lead would swell to 12 points but Alverno would not go away. The Inferno pulled within four on two occasions in the final 9:07, but Benedictine finished the game by hitting free throws.

Novak led all scorers with 24 points. Ranallo added 10, all in the second half. Kam Haifleigh grabbed 10 rebounds in the decision.

The conference tournament win marked the first for second year head coach Kristen Gillespie.

Benedictine (14-12) will travel to meet the top seed and two-time defending tournament champion, Wisconsin Lutheran, on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Wisconsin Lutheran has ended Benedictine's season in each of the past two seasons.