RIVER FOREST, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's basketball team never trailed and moved one game closer to securing the eighth and final spot in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference tournament with a convincing 70-50 victory over host Concordia University Chicago, inside Geiseman Gymnasium, Saturday afternoon, Feb. 15.

Sarah Albert paced a hot-shooting Sabre squad with a game-high 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting, including 4-of-8 from downtown and 4-for-4 at the foul line. Amelia Mirsberger added 18 points, including a 6-for-10 effort from three, while Sarah Olewinski chipped in 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Marian (7-17, 7-12 NACC) shot 46 percent (23-for-50) from the field, while holding the Cougars (2-21, 2-16 NACC) to just 35.2 percent (19-for-54).

The Sabres control their own destiny heading into the final game of the regular season on Tuesday, currently holding a one-game lead in the NACC standings on Rockford University (9-15, 6-13 NACC) for the eighth and final playoff spot.

After Concordia Chicago cut the deficit to just two points at 30-28 with a bucket to open the second half, Marian ensued with a 13-4 run fueled by a trio of three-pointers – two by Mirsberger and another by Albert – to put it ahead by 11 points. The advantage would dip under double digits just twice, never below nine points, as the Sabres kept their foot on the gas with a proficient effort from downtown.

Marian opened the game on a 16-3 run as Mirsberger kick-started the three-point onslaught with two treys in the first three minutes to give the Sabres a 9-1 lead. Albert would connect on two thereafter to give Marian a 16-3 jolt on the way to a 30-26 halftime advantage.

Trailing 24-8, the Cougars had their proudest moment of the day following a 13-0 run to cut the deficit to three points nearing the end of the first half. CUC's Chane Stelmachowicz contributed all nine of her points in the contest during the spurt. Angelik Young led the Cougars with 12 points on the afternoon, while Kassy Kohler and April Broska added eight points apiece.

Senior Dani Huray added an all-around effort with seven points, six rebounds and six assists in her final regular season road game as a Sabre. Marian out-rebounded Concordia Chicago 34-30.

The Sabres will honor Albert and Huray on Senior Night when they conclude the regular season at home against Concordia University Wisconsin this Tuesday, Feb. 18. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. inside Sadoff Gymnasium.