LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University women's basketball team opened the season with a 68-54 home loss to Albion.

Benedictine started strong, leading by as many as eight points early in the first half. Trailing 9-8, Meghan Novak opened a 9-0 run with a three-pointer at the 14:19 mark. All of the points in the run were scored on triples as Novak knocked home another before Shannon Ryan capped the run with a three with 10:36 left to put Benedictine ahead 17-9. Novak netted the first 14 points of the contest for Benedictine. Albion slowly chipped away, but Benedictine opened a nine-point edge with 5:28 to play on a Vincenza Ranallo jumper. Albion again battled back, evening the game in the final minute before a Novak free throw made the margin 32-31 at the half.

The visitors knocked down a three to open the second half and did not trail the remainder of the game. Trailing by seven points, Benedictine twice fought within four points but could get no closer. Albion embarked on a 6-0 run to lead by 10 with just under seven minutes to go. Benedictine chopped the margin to five with 3:50 left on a Ryan layup but couldn't pull any closer.

Benedictine shot only 26.9 percent in the second half, making just seven shots. The Eagles finished the game at 37.5 percent after opening the game at 50 percent in the first. Novak led Benedictine with 19 points. Ryan finished with 10.

Benedictine (0-1) returns to the floor on Tuesday night at Monmouth.