MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Marian University fell for the first time this season when leading at halftime and host Alverno College flipped an 11-point deficit at the break into a 78-66 victory in a pivotal Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference battle inside Reiman Gymnasium, Tuesday evening, Jan. 7.

The Sabres (3-9, 3-4 NACC), who shot 54.2 percent in the first half and forced 12 Alverno turnovers on the way to a 39-28 halftime lead, had been 3-0 when leading after the first 20 minutes this season. In the second half, the Inferno (9-5, 6-3 NACC) found their rhythm and reversed course to the tune of a 51.9 percent shooting clip and just two turnovers en route to the double-digit comeback win.

"It was a tale of two halves," Head Coach Bill Peters said. "Our shots weren't falling in the second half like they were in the first and [Alverno's] was. We executed our game plan, but they knocked down some big shots at timely possessions to get back into it and extend the lead on us."

The Sabres shot just 25. 9 percent as they were outscored 50-27 in the final 20 minutes.

Sarah Albert notched a team-best 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-for-5 from downtown. She led four in double figures as Sarah Olewinski added 14 points followed by Dani Huray and Amelia Mirsberger, who chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Leading 16-15 near the midway point in the first half, the Sabres went on a 7-0 run highlighted by back-to-back buckets off Inferno turnovers by Mirsberger and Nicole Paulus to put the Sabres up 23-15.

With 4:36 remaining, Albert converted another Alverno miscue into a three-pointer. Two Huray free throws later equated into another 7-0 Sabre run and equaled their largest lead of 13 points, 34-21, with 4:12 remaining until halftime. The Sabres turned 12 Inferno turnovers into 15 points in the opening stanza.

The Inferno, looking to keep pace among the NACC's best, couldn't wait for halftime with the opportunity to regroup and they took full advantage.

In the second half, the Inferno committed just two turnovers and forced the Sabres into eight turnovers, which they turned into a 9-1 advantage in the final 20 minutes.

Not only that, but Alverno found its shooting stroke as well, going 14-for-26 (53.8 percent) from the field, including 18-for-25 from the free throw.

Alverno's Ashley Berry scored 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half to lead her squad. Devon Gorman tallied 19 as well, while Jamie Hoernke and Anna Boteva chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively.

The turning point came right out of the gate to open the second half when the Inferno went on a 10-3 run to get back in the game. Alverno took a 49-48 lead on a pair of Hoernke free throws and never looked back.

"They pounded the post to start the second half and Berry started making shots from the outside," Peters said. "We, on the other hand, missed a lot of consecutive shots and that wasn't a good combination. There is a reason they are 7-0 at home. Both teams fought hard, but they hit more shots."

Marian will get right back at it with another difficult road test at Wisconsin Lutheran College this Thursday, Jan. 9. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Recreation Complex.