MADISON, Wis. – Late January is a great time of the year to be gaining momentum, and the Edgewood College women's basketball team seems to be gaining steam. Behind an outstanding defensive effort, the Eagles stymied Marian University's three-point attack and claimed a 68-54 victory at the Edgedome. Five Eagles scored in double figures for the first time in nearly 13 months.
Edgewood College's defense was on full display in the first half as the Eagles locked down the Sabres offense which takes more than 27 three-point attempts per game. Leading 8-6 after a putback by Sammy Gander, Edgewood College (9-10, 8-6 NACC) forced the Sabres into missing their next nine shots from the field. Meanwhile, Jazmin Little would launch a 7-0 Eagles run with a jump shot. The Eagles would push their lead out to 21-10 after baskets by Mariah Hill and Rachel Pope. However, the Sabres slowed the Eagles by switching to a zone late in the first half and found a way to get to the free throw line. The Eagles led just 26-24 at halftime despite Marian University (11-8, 7-7 NACC) shooting just 17.9 percent.
The second half finally produced some consistent Edgewood College offense. While the Eagles defense held Marian 1-for-11 from the field to open the half, Hannah Menzia led a 19-3 run to put the Eagles ahead 45-27. In a span of four possessions, Menzia scored a fastbreak layup, assisted on a basket by Sierra Jiran, converted a three-point play and drilled a three-pointer. Jiran followed with another basket and Menzia assisted on a jumper for Hill. Hill then returned the favor, hitting Little for a three-point basket to complete the surge.
By the time Marian University started making shots they already trailed 55-36 and were shooting just 19.1 percent. The Sabres went 6-for-10 from the field over the final seven minutes, but only closed to within eight points at 59-51 with two minutes to play. Rachel Pope scored a jumper and the Eagles seven of eight free throws in the final minute to secure the win.
Menzia, a freshman, had a breakout game with a career-high 14 points, seven rebounds and another career with six assists. Hill had a rough shooting night, but made up for it with 13 points thanks to a 9-for-10 effort at the free throw line and a season-high eight assists. Seven of Hill's assists came after halftime. Pope and Courtney Spangler each scored five baskets and finished with 10 points apiece, while Little came off the bench to hit a pair of three-point baskets and score 10 points of her own. Edgewood College shot 46.9 percent in the second half to finish at 41.4 percent for the game.
Sarah Olewinski converted nine of 10 free throws and finished as Marian's leading scorer with 15 points. Brandi Bender scored 10 points to represent the only other Sabre in double figures. Edgewood College has held Marian to their two poorest shooting games of the season at 26.3 percent tonight and 24.6 percent back on December 20.
Tonight's win pushes the Eagles into sixth place, just one-half game behind Concordia University Chicago. The Eagles next contest will be in Saturday's annual Jam the Gym celebration against second place Benedictine University. As part of the #UniteToFight campaign, all fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin to Saturday's game.
