The Aurora University women's basketball team took on Concordia University Chicago, Tuesday night at AU's Thornton Gymnasium. Unfortunately for the Spartans, the Cougars prevailed in the 68-54 loss for
Although AU may have lost the contest to Concordia Chicago, the Spartans held an AU Dunks on Cancer event and prior to tip-off with the Cougars honored members of the Paladino family.

Brianna Paladino is a three-year old who is battling cancer and all the proceeds from the games ticket sales and raffle were donated to the family.

As the game began, Aurora came out the with a hot streak going up 10-2 with just three minutes in thanks to a quick three-point field goal by freshman Ciara Marlow. Although the Cougars had a slow start it would not be the story for the rest of the game. Concordia quickly came back into the game down just two with eight minutes into the game.

The Spartans tried to pull away with a two quick lay ups by Shay Jenkins bringing the Spartans up 17-13
The Spartans had a spark at the end of the half bringing the deficit to just three 32-29. At the half Spartans were led by freshman Bethany Dorrington who was three-for-three from beyond the arc and had a total of 11 points. For the Cougars Jessica Genke was five-for five from the field and had a total of 13 points.

In the second-half, the Cougars quickly scored nine points behind Jessica Genke rebounds and Angelik Young layups. The Spartans were unable to match the Cougar intensity and just eight minutes into the half Aurora was down by 17.


The Spartans were led by Marlow (16 points and three assists) and Dorrington finished with 15 points, three assists and two steals. The Cougars were led by Genke's game-high 23 points, nine rebounds, five blocked shots and two assists.

The Spartans are 6-12 overall and 3-8 in the Northern Atlantic Conference, The next action for Spartans will be on Saturday, January 26 in Thornton Gymnasium where they will face off with Milwaukee School of Engineering on AU Hall of Fame Day.