Benedictine free throws difference in NACC matchup of unbeatens

LISLE, Ill. – Benedictine made six free throws during the final 35 seconds of Saturday's NACC matchup to hold on for a 57-52 victory over Concordia Wisconsin inside the Rice Center.

QUOTING HEAD COACH STACEY BRUNNER-JONES
"We can't win games shooting just 7-of-18 from the free throw line. Also, getting outrebounded 49-26 is unacceptable and we need to be tougher. With that said, I give credit to Benedictine for a well-played game and for showing us things we need to be better at."

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game was tied at 40-40 with 7:10 remaining in the game, but the Eagles went on a quick 6-0 scoring run to gain an advantage they wouldn't relinquish. After falling behind by as many as nine points, the Falcons got to within a field goal after a Brianna Wagner 3-pointer from the top of the key with 41 seconds to play.
- However, Benedictine made 6-of-8 free throws in the final 35 seconds and Concordia Wisconsin missed a pair of jumpers on successive offensive possessions. Sophomore Baylee Barker (Oconomowoc, Wis.) did drain a 3-pointer with eight seconds left on the clock to get the visitor's deficit to four points, 56-52.
- The Falcons shot just 7-of-18 free throws (38.9 percent) in the loss and were outrebounded 49-36. They did score 30 points in the paint and hold a 23-12 lead in bench production.
- Wagner (junior, Fond du Lac, Wis.) scored a team-best 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
- Senior Samantha Blissett (Springfield, Ill.) had 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Falcons and it was also their first loss in NACC play.
- After CUW won 14-of-15 games from December of 2006 to January of 2014 against Benedictine, the Eagles have turned the tide in their favor by winning four of the past five matchups.
- It was the first time in the past six contests the Falcons didn't win the rebounding battle.

THE OPPOSITION
- Venita Parsons led all players with 13 points, to go along with seven rebounds and four assists.
- D'Asia Williams added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Georgia Alexakos scored 10 points and stole three passes. Alena Moro scored eight points and hauled in a game-high 11 rebounds.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons begin a busy week with the first of the three games on Tuesday at MSOE at 7 pm.