MADISON, Wis. – The Edgewood College women's basketball had every opportunity to pull an upset over defending NACC Tournament champion Lakeland University, but trips to the free throw line proved to be a nightmare for the Eagles. The Muskies rallied from behind in the second half to take a 55-50 win from the Eagles at the Edgedome.

After Delaney Wilhelm hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 17-17, Edgewood College (5-6, 3-3 NACC) captured the lead with a strong second quarter. The Eagles scored a three-pointer by Riley Larson and a pull-up jumper by Delaney Wilhelm to take a 25-20 lead. After Lakeland University (7-4, 4-2 NACC) cut the lead to one, Kelly Carpenter picked up a loose ball in the lane and scored it, and Jennifer Freeman drilled a three-pointer to put the lead back up to 30-24. The Eagles went into halftime up 33-27, but made just four of 12 free throw attempts, which would be an omen of things to come.

In the third quarter, the Eagles opened up their largest lead of the game when Diamond Pikulyk fed Wilhelm for a layup, and Abby Shane followed with a three-pointer for a 38-31 advantage. Wilhelm scored again later to put the Eagles up 40-35, but that would be the Eagles last field goal for almost 11 minutes. Lakeland seized control with a 15-3 run, led by nine points from Maddy Doll.

The Eagles trailed 51-43 with 2:30 to go, before nearly pulling off a comeback. The Eagles forced back-to-back turnovers, which resulted in a basket for Wilhelm and a three-pointer by Freeman. Allison Gordon scored with 15 seconds left but Lakeland's Rachel Stankevich scored with 11 seconds left to seal the Muskies' victory.

Edgewood College was hampered by going 7-for-22 from the free throw line, and shooting just 19.4 percent in the second half. Wilhelm ended the game with 13 points to lead the Eagles, while Shane tallied 10 points including three three-pointers. Gordon and Larson scored eight points each with Gordon grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds. Gordon also had three blocks and three steals, while Brooke Lonigro led the Eagles with three assists. Edgewood College shot 28.6 percent for the game, and made seven three-pointers.

Lakeland was led by Stankevich who scored 21 points. Doll finished with nine points and nine rebounds, and Miranda Jacobson pulled down a team-best 10 rebounds. The Muskies went 19-for-26 from the free throw line.

Edgewood College will open the new year on Tuesday, January 2 against Alverno College at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. Game time is 7:00 p.m.