The Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons defeated the Aurora University Spartans 68-59 Saturday afternoon in a key early season Northern Athletics Conference matchup.

The Falcons built an early 11-5 lead five minutes into the half behind tenacious offensive rebounding and a Spartan illegal substitution penalty that gave them two free throws before the game even officially started.

Concordia would stretch their lead to 25-16 at the midway point of the first-half, again behind their offensive rebounding and second chance points.

The Falcons would extend their lead to 14 points (34-20) with four minutes left and would later take a 46-30 lead into halftime.

Top Spartan performers in the half included freshman guard Gwendolyn Smith, who led the Spartans with seven points and three rebounds. The Falcons dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Spartans 22-11.

The Falcons and Spartans traded baskets in the opening minutes of the second half with Concordia extending their lead to 54-36.

The Spartans would be able to cut into the Falcon lead behind tough defense but still trailed 58-44 with nine minutes left in regulation. The Spartans were able to eventually cut the Falcon lead to single digits with four minutes left, the score being 62-53.

Aurora would get within five points with two minutes left, as they capitalized off a Falcon turnover to make the score 64-59.

However, that was as close as the Spartans would get as Concordia pulled away down the stretch after making several free throws to make the final score

Top Spartan performers included junior forward Megan Russe, who led the Spartans with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Gwendolyn Smith added nine points.

With the loss, the Spartans fall to 2-6 (1-4 NAC) while the Falcons improve to 5-2 (4-1 NAC).

Next action for the Spartans comes on Tuesday, December 15, when they travel to Rock Island, Illinois to take on the Vikings of Augustana College. Game time is set for 7:00.