LISLE, Ill. – The Edgewood College Eagles men's basketball squad played a crucial Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) matchup Tuesday night. They traveled down south to face fellow Eagles Bendictine. Benedictine's (10-11, 8-5 NACC) hot first half gave them cushion as Edgewood College (6-16, 6-8) struggled to make shots as they fell 85-61.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Benedictine scored the first eight points of the game and forced an Edgewood College timeout at 16:43. An 11-3 rally in the middle of the half pushed the Benedictine advantage to 25-10 at 8:36. Benedictine would lead by as many as 23 points in the frame and entered the locker room with a commanding 39-19 edge.

- The team's respective shooting percentages were the tale of the half. Benedictine shot 55.6 (15-of-27) percent from the field, while Edgewood College struggled with a 23.3 (7-of-30) percentage.

- Benedictine coasted through the first few minutes of the half as they maintained their lead. Edgewood College would find some life starting at the 17:18 mark. Down 47-29, they started to sink more of their buckets and went on a 13-6 rally to close within 53-42 at the 12:59 mark. Benedictine would stunt Edgewood College's momentum with a 14-6 reply, finishing it off with a three-pointer at the 6:58 mark to take a 70-50 lead and put the game effectively out of reach.

- Both teams shot better in the second half, with Edgewood College making 15-of-29 from the field for a 51.72 percentage. They were unable to stop Benedictine effectively as they shot 18-of-27 from the field.

- Jake Schroeckenthaler finished the night with 19 points and seven rebounds, both team highs. Cade Ellingson netted 11 points as the only other Edgewood College shooter in double figures.

- Andrew Stokes was a key component of Benedictine's victory, finishing with 26 points while making 11-of-13 from the field. Trevor Montiel dominated the boards with a game-high 13 rebounds.

- Benedictine out-rebounded Edgewood College 44-to-27 and earned 15 second-chance points to Edgewood College's six. Benedictine made the most out of their fast break opportunities, winning the battle 21-to-9, and put together a dominant 52-to-22 gap in points in the paint.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The loss snapped a five-game winning streak by Edgewood College.

- The loss also tied the series against Benedictine at 16 apiece dating back to 2004-06.

UP NEXT
Edgewood College continues their three-game NACC road trip Saturday with a trip to Mequon, Wis. to face Concordia Wisconsin. Tip is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in a series Edgewood College leads 40-36 since 1987-88, including a two-game winning streak.