LISLE, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's basketball team closed a 12-point gap in the second half, but not enough to trump host Benedictine University in a Northern Athletics Conference Challenge Game as the Eagles came away with a 64-60 victory on its home floor, today, Feb. 18. The Sabres will be the seventh seed in the NAC Tournament and face Dominican this Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The Sabres trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half and by nine as late as the 5:18 mark, but were able to cut the deficit to just two points with 1:57 to go to make it 60-58. However, the Eagles proved to be too much in the end as they staved off the furious comeback for a narrow four-point win.

Marian's Alexis Becker led all scorers with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Sarah Albert was the only other Sabre in double-figures with 11 points, sinking all eight free throw tries. Megan Novak led three Eagles in double-figures with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Katie Hunzinger added 13 points, while Kam Haifleigh added 12.

Benedictine improves to 10-15 overall, while Marian falls to 13-12. Both team's fates was already decided as the Sabres won the first meeting and held the tie-breaker for the seventh seed in the conference tournament where they will face off against Dominican in River Forest, Ill. on Wednesday.

The Eagles will serve as the eighth seed and take on top-seeded Wisconsin Lutheran on the road.
Marian was out-rebounded 35-30 and surrendered 10 offensive caroms that led to 12 second chance points. It also contributed to Benedictine's success in the paint as they outscored the Sabres 28-14 in that category.

The Sabres shot just 36.2 (17-for-47) percent from the floor, including 29.6 (8-for-27) percent from three-point range. The Eagles shot 43.8 (21-for-48) percent from the field in the win.

Wednesday's first round games are slated for 7 p.m. with the higher seeds serving as hosts.