AURORA, ILL. (SabreAthletics.com) – It was a challenging road match-up for Marian University women's basketball team as they took on the Aurora Spartans today, February 7, in Aurora. The Sabres had a difficult time finding a rhythm from beyond the arc as they fell 64-55.

The Sabres (12-10, 8-9 NACC) stuck with the approach that has been successful for them all year as they tried to rely on their three-point shooting. As a team the Sabres struggled to take the game over with their deep ball attack, going 5-of-23, while shooting 20-of-63 overall on the day.

Early on the Sabres were able to gain some control, shooting 5-of-12 to gain an 11-10 lead just over eight minutes into the game. Aurora's, Bethany Dorrington, who finished with 19 points on the day, was able connect on a jump shot shortly after to give the Spartans (7-15, 7-10 NACC) the lead and momentum.

It was a six point Spartan lead at halftime, led by 15 points from Dorrington. The Sabres went 2-of-12 from three-point range in the first half, with Nicole Paulus and Sarah Olewinski each connecting once.

The Spartans went on a 15-to-4 run to start the second half to put the Sabres in an 18-point hole. The Sabres answered back with five straight points, four by Jessica Roberts, but Spartan substitutions took away the Sabres momentum and held onto the lead.

Aurora's, Shannon Koski, went 4-of-7 from the field in the second half, while going 7-of-8 from the line to score 15 points. She finished with a game-high 22 points. The Spartans shot 43.5 percent in the half while not attempting any three-pointers to outscore the Sabres 37-34.

Sarah Olewisnki finished with a team-high 19 points for the Sabres, including 14 points in the second half on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the line, but it wasn't enough to help spark a late Sabre run.

Marian now sits in seventh place in the NACC with a one-game lead over the eighth place Spartans. Lakeland is currently in ninth as they sit a half game behind the Spartans. The Sabres and Muskies meet in a crucial match-up on Wednesday, Feb. 11, as the Sabres will attempt to maintain their favorable position. Tipoff is set for 7 pm.