(Milwaukee, WI) - Marian University won a huge 72-71 double-overtime game at Alverno College on Wednesday to help advance them to the 2011 Northern Athletics Conference Tournament. The Sabres are now 14-10 overall and 8-10 in the NAC. They will be the \#4-seed in the NAC North, earning that spot via a tie-breaker over Alverno.

Marian led 25-24 at the break thanks to an 11-2 run to close the half. The Sabres held the Inferno to just 23% shooting from the field in the half. Elizabeth Zutz (Valders, WI) had a big half with 12 points. 

In the second, Marian went on an 8-0 run to open a nine-point lead, their largest of the game. Alverno worked their way back and took a 38-37 lead with 10:51 to play. 

The Inferno eventually took a 44-37 lead with 6:21 to play, but once again Marian answered the bell, going on a 10-0 run. Alverno answered and had a 54-50 lead with 1:35 to play, but Alexis Becker (North Fond du Lac, WI) hit a pair of free throws and Brooke Haen (Oakfield, WI) hit a layup to eventually bring Marian to within one. With twenty seconds left, Alverno missed a three and Marian rebounded. Eventually, Dani Huray (Little Chute, WI) got fouled and hit a free throw to send the game into overtime with eleven seconds remaining. 

In the first overtime, Alverno took a 63-57 lead with just 2:37 to play, but Marian fought back. Haen hit a three and Becker hit a layup to bring Marian to within one. Becker then hit two free throws with :52 remaining to put Marian up one. The Inferno ended up going to the line with :24 to play, but only connected on one toss to tie it up. After a Marian offensive foul, Alverno's three at the buzzer was off. 

In double overtime, neither team led by more than two points. Down two with :51 to play, Zutz made a layup. Marian then made a stop and Becker got fouled with just seven seconds to play. She missed the first, but hit the second free throw to give Marian the 72-71 lead. Alverno's last second chance was off and Marian emerged victorious. 

Zutz led Marian with 28 points, while Haen recorded 20. Becker finished with 18 points. Zutz had 12 rebounds and 4 steals, while Becker added 8 rebounds. 

The victory helped the Sabres earn their first-ever NAC Tournament appearance. They will be back in action again on Saturday, as they will host MSOE in the NAC Challenge game. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.