LISLE, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – A dismal second-half shooting performance doomed the Marian University women's basketball team as it fell in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play to Benedictine University on the road, 65-44, inside the Rice Center, this evening, Jan. 18.

The Sabres were within seven points at the break after shooting just 32.1 percent, but connected on five three's to keep it close. A disappointing second half would ensue as Marian shot just 14.8 percent (4-for-27) from the field, including 0-for-14 from downtown and did not convert a field goal in the final 6:20. Junior Sarah Olewinski led the Sabres team in scoring with 11 points.

Briana Hamilton paced the Eagles (6-9, 6-4 NACC) with a game-high 15 points in 23 minutes off the bench. Meghan Novak added 10 points, while Vincenza Ranalla chipped in seven points and a game-high 14 rebounds in the win. Benedictine shot 43.4 percent (23-for-53), including 50 percent (12-for-24) in the second half.

Marian led by as many as four points when Olewinski hit back-to-back three's out of the gate to put the Sabres up 6-2. A few minutes later, Dani Huray's layup gave her squad an 8-6 lead before the Sabres would miss eight straight shots, including seven three-point attempts. During the drought, the Eagles put together a 15-0 run to take a commanding 21-8 advantage.

Marian then scored 10 straight points to cut the deficit to three and even tied the game at 23-all before Benedictine went on a mini-run to take a 33-26 lead into the locker room.

To start the second half, a 13-4 run quickly ballooned the Eagle lead to 16 points and the double-digit advantage would loom for the remainder of the contest.

Benedictine out-rebounded Marian, 49-34, while the Eagles also outscored the Sabres in the 30-16 and from the bench, 31-14.

Marian will be back in action Tuesday, Jan. 21, as it travels to MSOE for a 7 p.m. tilt at the Kern Center.