Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 2/21/2023 9:50:00 PM

AURORA, Ill. – The Edgewood College women's basketball team is headed to the NACC Tournament Semifinal after a come from behind win over Aurora. The sixth-seeded Eagles defeated the third-seeded Spartans 56-54 in what proved to be a defensive battle. Edgewood College, will head to No. 1 St. Norbert College on Thursday for the semifinal contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED - With 9:11 left in the fourth quarter, Edgewood College (15-11) trailed Aurora University (21-5) 48-42. The Eagles turned on their defense and held the Spartans, who led the NACC in scoring, scoreless for just under seven minutes. In that time, the Eagles scored 10 points and forced three turnovers. A free throw make from Eden Bonser tied things up with 7:14 on the clock. With 5:25 remaining, a layup from Kallie Norby gave the Eagles a 50-48 lead. Aurora returned the favor, with just 49 seconds remaining, a three-pointer from Macy Kocen tied things up at 54 apiece. Senior Emma Klein remained calm and collected, making an open jumper with nine seconds remaining for the ball game.

- Turnovers grounded the Edgewood College attack in the first quarter, as they gave up six possessions in the first four minutes of action. Aurora took advantage, going on a 9-0 run to begin the contest. The Eagles would battle back, but only total 10 points through the first ten minutes. Aurora led into the second quarter, 17-10.

- From the second quarter on, Edgewood College outscored Aurora. The Eagles managed a 15-14 advantage after the second quarter, and reduced the Spartans lead to six points (31-25) going into halftime.

- Edgewood College shot a game-best 50 percent (6-of-12) from the floor in the third quarter and 42.86 percent (3-of-7) from beyond the arc. The Eagles recorded 17 points in the third and reduced the Spartans lead to three points (45-42). Vivian Guerrero was key in the final minute of the third quarter, she sunk two points from the charity stripe, and followed that up with a steal and fastbreak layup with 12 seconds remaining.

- Guerrero notched her 13th double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Kenzie Senffner was key for the Eagles, notching 10 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Paige Banks, Norby, Klein, and Eden Bonser each added seven or more points in the victory.

- Coming into Tuesday night, Aurora led the NACC in offensive rebounding, while Edgewood College led the nation in defensive rebounding. Safe to say, rebounds were a key marker in the contest. The Eagles held Aurora to just eight offensive rebounds and pulled down 36 defensive rebounds of their own, totaling 46 to Aurora's 31.

- Edgewood College led Aurora in all shooting categories on Tuesday night. The Eagles recorded 38.5 percent shooting (20-of-52) from the floor and 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from beyond the arc. Most importantly, they went 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) from the charity stripe.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE - The Eagles are now 6-2 in NACC Tournament games under head coach Chaia Huff. Edgewood College captured the league tournament title with two wins in the 2019-20 season and reached the NACC North final two seasons ago. They have now won a NACC Tournament game in each of the last four seasons.

UP NEXT - The Eagles will head to No. 1 St. Norbert on Thursday. Action is set for 7:00 p.m. from Mulva Sports Center in De Pere, Wisconsin. St. Norbert College swept the Eagles in the regular season. The Green Knights won the first game 85-55, on January 4 in De Pere, and won the second 86-70 on February 18, in Madison.  

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