FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's basketball team looked poised to run away with one against visiting Alverno College, but the Inferno cut a 21-point deficit to two points before the Sabres eventually hung on for a 62-59 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory inside Sadoff Gymnasium this evening.

The Sabres (9-4, 5-3 NACC) led by nine at halftime and increased the margin to 21 points on a Jessica Roberts three-pointer with 14:22 remaining in regulation. Over the final 14-plus minutes, however, Alverno (3-10, 1-7 NACC) would outscore Marian 28-10, but it was unable to get a potential game-tying three-point attempt off before time ran out and settled for the narrow defeat.

Marian senior Sarah Olewinski turned in a team-high 16 points on 6-for-15 shooting, including 4-for-10 from downtown. Sophomore Nicole Paulus added 14 points, including four triples, while eight others reached the scoring column, but failed to reach double digits.

Alverno's Mollie Mikyska was a force in the paint, leading all scorers with 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal. It was her valiant effort that allowed the Inferno to outscore the Sabres, 30-16, in the paint.

Following the Roberts three-pointer, the Inferno embarked on a 19-4 run to cut the deficit to 56-50.

Two possessions later, the Sabres would get a second-chance opportunity and convert as Emma Jarvey scored two of her five points on the night to put the Sabres back up by eight. But Mikyska and Brooke McBain would combine for a pair of buckets to cut the deficit to only two points at 58-56 – the closest margin for the Inferno since the score was 5-4 just two minutes into the game.

Marian would answer back, though, as Courtney Klister found good position on the other end of a Brandi Bender missed jumper and put home the offensive board to take the advantage back to four, at 60-56.

A pair of Hunter Godfroy free throws made it 62-56 before Alverno cut it to a one possession game when Tessa Mersberger buried a three from the top of the key. Alverno fouled on the next possession to extend the game and it worked to their benefit as a missed free throw gave them the ball back.

A timeout to draw a final play in the last 5.3 seconds wouldn't go according to plan as the Alverno offense looked in disarray and a shot never taken.

Marian led from start-to-finish despite the thrilling final few minutes. It looks to make it two straight wins when the Sabres head to Rockford Saturday, Jan. 10, to take on the Regents in another difficult NACC road test. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.