PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's basketball team met a stifling defense as it was held to just 35 percent shooting on the afternoon en route to a 70-54 defeat at the hands of UW-La Crosse on the final day of the UW-Platteville Tournament, this afternoon, Nov. 23.

Senior Sarah Albert, the Sabre sharp-shooter who entered the game averaging more than 20 points in Marian's first two contests, was held to just nine points and without a single three-point attempt as the Eagles were able to hold her in check.

UW-La Crosse shot greater than 55 percent (27-for-49) and grabbed a 30-23 rebounding edge in the win. Mallory Cramer led the Eagles with an efficient 8-for-13 effort from the field, including 9-for-9 at the charity stripe, as she poured in a game-high 25 points, while pulling down 11 boards.

Junior Sarah Olewinski led the Sabres with 12 points, while freshman Nicole Paulus added 10.

The Eagles jumped out to 9-0 lead out of the gates and built it quickly to double digits, which is where it remained for the majority of the first half. UWL was a blistering 16-for-24 from the field in the opening 20 minutes on the way to a 35-24 first-half lead.

UWL cooled down a bit in the second half, but not enough for the Sabres to make a comeback run like the 14-point deficit they erased the night before.

The Eagles' size advantage was evident as they held a 42-10 advantage in the paint.

The Sabres will continue their run against state schools as they prepare for a Tuesday night meeting with nationally-ranked UW-Stevens Point. The Nov. 26 match-up will serve as Marian's home opener and is slated to begin at 7 p.m.