MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Sabreathletics.com) - The unbeaten streak to start the season for the Marian University women's basketball team came to an end tonight, Dec. 16, against Wisconsin Lutheran College. After a tight first half that had the Sabres up by three, the Warriors went on a 10-0 run to start the second half and gain a lead they would not relinquish, handing the Sabres their first loss of the season by a score of 87-83.

Offensively the Sabres had a productive night led by a game-high 24 points from Sarah Olewinski. Four of Marian's five starters scored double digits as Brittany Bauman added 13, followed by Emma Jarvey and Nicole Paulus with 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Sabres (7-1, 4-1 NACC) finished the game, shooting just under 49 percent as a team after a 60 percent clip in the first half. WLC (4-3, 4-1 NACC) averaged 54 percent from the field.

Warrior freshman Chyann Pendergrass was a key piece to the team's success, scoring a season-high 23 points off the bench. Pendergrass played a season-high 20 minutes, shooting 57 percent from the floor while going 14-of-15 from the foul line to provide an extra spark off the bench.

It was all Marian in the first half as they gained leads as high as 11 points, but after being outscored 8-3 in the final two minutes, the Sabres went into halftime up just three. The Sabres were aided by 60 percent shooting led by Olewinski who went 6-of-8 from the floor.

The Warriors turned the tables in the second, starting with two three-pointers by Caitlyn Knueppel out of the gate to eventually gain a 49-44 lead. Knueppel and teammate Christel Frey each had strong second halves, scoring over 10 points, but it was Pendergrass who helped seal the deal. In the final two minutes Pendergrass went 11-11 from the line to shutdown the Sabres attempt at a comeback.

Compared to their notable first half, shooting didn't come as easy for the Sabres in the second as they dropped down to 37 percent from the field. The Warriors took advantage, staying consistent with 45% shooting to gain momentum. Thanks to the early second-half surge, the Warrior offense was assisted by 22 of 29 shooting from the line in the final minutes to help preserve their lead and stop the Sabres memorable start to the season.The 7-1 start for the Sabres ties the 1993-94 season for the best start in school history. 

The Sabres look to rebound from the defeat this weekend when they take on Edgewood College (2-7, 2-4 NACC) on Saturday, Dec. 20. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.