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FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's basketball team came back from 10 points down in the first half to lead by two with 1:45 remaining in the game, but the visiting Falcons of Concordia University Wisconsin proved too much to overcome as it stormed back for a 56-52 triumph in Northern Athletics Conference play inside Sadoff Gymnasium this evening, Nov. 30.
The Sabres received a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds from senior forward
Alexis Becker. The North Fond du Lac, native finished 8-of-19 from the field and tallied her first double-double of the season and the seventh of her career.
Alyssa Pyscher also finished in double figures for the Sabres with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
The Falcons put three players in double figures with Tiffany Hendrickson leading the way with 14 points, followed by Katie Luethe with 12 and Brittany Zietlow with 10. The Falcons shot 33.3 percent (20-for-60) in the contest, while the Sabres were 22-of-55 (40 percent).
CUW improves to 2-2 overall, 2-0 in the NAC, while the Sabres fall to 3-2 (0-2 NAC).
Becker put the Sabres in the lead, 52-50, with 1:45 remaining, but the Falcons' Hendrickson was able to draw a foul at the other end and made both free throws to tie the score with under a minute remaining.
Marian had a chance to pull back in front, getting the favorable bounce off a CUW defender after an
Elizabeth Zutz missed layup to retain possession. Head Coach
Bill Peters called timeout to draw up a play at this crucial juncture, but it was all for naught as the Sabres turned the ball over off the in-bound.
Another foul at the other end allowed Zietlow to drain two more freebies, which gave the visitors a slim two-point edge, 54-52.
The Sabres brought it across half-court and called another timeout to draw up a play. However, another turnover off the in-bound prevented the play from being executed. Two more free throws at the other end by Zietlow all but sealed it for the Falcons as they scratched away another close win after taking care of Edgewood in the opener, 61-52.
The Sabres committed 16 turnovers, which were converted into 16 Falcon points. CUW made just 10 miscues in earning the victory. Marian garnered 36 of its points in the paint to just 22 for the Falcons and the Sabre bench outscored CUW, 19-7, led by Pyscher's 11.
The Sabres will take on Rockford in their first NAC road contest of the season this Saturday, December 3. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
