(Aurora, IL) - Aurora University defended their home court on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Marian University 76-70. The Sabres pulled to within three points with 1:42 to play, but could get no closer. The Spartans are now 6-13 overall and 5-9 in the Northern Athletics Conference, while Marian is 5-13 overall and 2-10 in the NAC.
The Sabres fell behind by double-digits in the first half, but battled back and cut the deficit to five points by halftime.
In the second, the Sabres tied the game at 43 with 15:30 to play, but the Spartans built a 14-point lead in the next eight minutes. Trailing 66-52 with 7:18 to play, Marian went on a 12-1 run over the next 4:25 to cut the deficit to three.
A three-pointer at the 1:32 mark and free throws down the stretch sealed the victory for Aurora.
Marian shot 26-for-69 (38%) in the contest, while Aurora shot 32-for-69 (46%). Aurora out-rebounded the Sabres 44-40.
Four Sabres finished in double-digits in scoring. Brooke Haen (Oakfield, WI) led the Sabres with 18 points, while Jordan Dykstra (Cedar Grove, WI), Alexis Becker (North Fond du Lac, WI), and Emily Reiter (Hilbert, WI) finished with 17, 15, and 12 points, respectively.
Reiter and Becker finished with double-doubles as Reiter pulled down 16 rebounds, while Becker added 10 boards.