MADISON, Wis. - For three quarters of their game against Alverno College, the Edgewood College women's basketball team appeared to have broken free of their recent scoring troubles. However, a quiet fourth quarter and a big rally by the Inferno sent the Eagles to their sixth straight defeat. Alverno College scored 37 points in the fourth quarter to claim an 81-65 victory over the Eagles at the Edgedome.

After taking a 16-14 lead in the first period, Edgewood College (2-10, 1-6 NACC) opened up the margin to seven points with a quick 5-0 run in the second. Zoey Dougherty hit a three-pointer on the first possession of the period and Sierra Jiran followed with a layup for a 21-14 lead. The Eagles pushed their lead to 32-22 with 3:37 to go in the second period on Rachel Pope's three-point play off a fastbreak. The Eagles shot 44.8 percent in the first half, often by breaking the Alverno College (6-6, 3-4 NACC) press for easy baskets. The Eagles entered the locker room leading 36-29.

In the third quarter, the Eagles maintained their margin by going 5-for-12 from the field and took a 52-44 lead into the final period. However, the Eagles shooting deserted them in the fourth, and Alverno College heated up. Alverno's first three baskets of the period all came from behind the arc with Julie Gallegos hitting twice and Mackenzie Mathies once. Allison Gordon scored a bucket on a drive to preserve a 58-53 Eagles lead, but the Inferno would go on a 9-0 run, taking the lead on another Gallegos three-point basket.

Edgewood College received two more baskets from Gordon, but Alverno made 14 of 20 free throws in the fourth period including 9-for-11 by Gallegos to pull away for the win. Edgewood College shot 43.9 percent through the first three quarters, but just 20 percent in the final period.

Pope finished with a team-high 18 points, going 7-for-11 from the field. She also had a five assists to lead the Eagles. Gordon scored eight of her career-high 10 points in the fourth quarter. Freshman Cole Jordee, playing her first game in the Edgedome as an Eagle, chipped in nine points and had four blocked shots. Jiran grabbed seven rebounds in the first half and 12 for the game.

Alverno College was led by Gallegos with 21 points including four three-point baskets. Mollie Mikyska had 13, Mathies had 12 and Zehner 10 as the Inferno put four players in double figures. The Inferno his 53.6 percent of their shots in the second half.

Edgewood College will attempt to get back on the winning track Tuesday when the Eagles travel to Wisconsin Lutheran College for a 7:00 p.m. contest.