MILWAUKEE - Marian University women's basketball (3-15, 1-12 NACC) trailed by as many as 18 but rallied to tie the game but a layup in the final seconds from the Raiders sank the Sabres by a 53-51 final.

After an 8-8 start to the game, MSOE closed out the opening quarter on a 12-2 run to take a commanding 10 point lead into the first break.  The Raiders then extended their lead out to 18 at 36-18 in the second quarter before a layup from freshman Jenna Moehn and a pair of free throws from junior Rachel Serchen put the halftime tally at 36-22.

The Sabres were able to shoot 5-11 (.455) in the second quarter and used that hot shooting to begin their come back in the second half.  The Sabres outscored MSOE 14-10 in the third quarter with five different Sabres scoring and the defense holding the Raiders to 3-11 (.273) shooting.

Marian then dominated the fourth quarter with Serchen leading the charge with eight points in the quarter.  The Sabres opened the final quarter on a 12-2 run to tie the game at 48-48 at the 1:42 mark with a three-pointer from senior Brandi Bender capping off the streak. 

The Raiders would take a three-point lead with only 14 seconds left before a clutch three-point basket from Serchen with six seconds remaining knotted the game at 51-51.  MSOE would use a timeout to advance the ball, however, and a layup in the final seconds, the only made field goal for MSOE in the quarter, proved to be the game-winner.

The Sabres shot 21-52 (.404) in the defeat led by Serchen who posted a game-high 18 points.  Bender chipped in 11 points to go with six assists and four steals, while junior Christina Jagiello came off the bench to provide six points and eight rebounds, three on the offensive side.

Marian returns home to host Aurora Saturday, Jan. 27 at 4:15 p.m. from Sadoff Gym.

--FightBlueFight--