LISLE, Ill. – The Edgewood College women's basketball team played virtually even with Benedictine University, except for the second quarter. That 16-10 second quarter deficit, allowed Benedictine to keep the Eagles at arm's length in a 62-55 loss at the Rice Center.
Edgewood College (6-17, 5-13 NACC) fell behind 9-0 to open the game as they missed their first 10 shots of the game. However, Allison Gordon got the Eagles on the board and Cole Jordee followed with a three-point play, and soon the Eagles had tied the game 9-9. Benedictine still led 12-11 after the first period.
Benedictine University (15-8, 12-6 NACC) made the first major move of the game in the second quarter. After Gordon brought Edgewood College within one at 16-15, Benedictine executed a 7-0 run for a 23-15. Gordon cut the lead back to four points twice in the final four minutes of the half, but two free throws from Raven Willis and another by Alanna Ferry put Benedictine ahead 28-21 at the break.
Edgewood College got as close as four points in the third period, but each time Benedictine was able to stop their momentum. Benedictine seemed to have salted the game away early in the fourth period, taking a 52-39 lead, before Edgewood College gave one last push. Rachel Pope and Sierra Jiran scored field goals to spark a 13-4 run. Pope also made a three-pointer, before Marissa Hoyer sank a pair of free throws to bring Edgewood College within 56-52. However, Edgewood College came up empty on their next two possessions, and Benedictine converted six of eight free throws in the final 1:12 to secure the victory.
Gordon and Pope shared high-scoring honors for Edgewood College with 15 points apiece. Jazmin Little made a pair of three-pointers and also ended up in double figures with 10 points. Jiran grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and had two assists. Edgewood College struggled shooting the ball, hitting just 33.3 percent for the game.
Benedictine received 15 points off the bench from Willis and 14 points from Ferry. Benedictine shot 37.3 percent from the field and held a 29-10 advantage in bench points.
Edgewood College will play their final road game of the season on Tuesday, when they travel to Mequon for a game against Concordia University Wisconsin. The Eagles and Falcons will tip off at 7:00 p.m.
