AU's Thornton Gymnasium played host to a basketball doubleheader between Aurora University and the Falcons of Concordia University Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon. The women were first to play with the Spartans entering 1-6 on the year and looking for their first conference win while the Falcons entered
with a 5-4 overall record and 4-2 in conference play.
The Falcons jumped out to an early 11-3 lead over the Spartans by the 16:00 minute mark, knocking down several long jump shots. AU created good scoring opportunities on the offensive end but were unable to capitalize.
The Spartans battled on the defensive end forcing the Falcons to take difficult shots. However, the Falcons hot shooting would continue, giving them a 19-5 lead on the Spartans with 12:00 minutes remaining in the half.
The Spartans began to find success on the offensive end behind solid play from seniors, guard Ashley Daniels and center Michelle Perry.
Offensive production along with defensive stops allowed the Spartans to cut into the Falcon lead. With 7:00 remaining, the score was now 29-17 in favor of the Falcons.
The Falcons would again expand on their lead, making it their largest of the game thus far at 15 points (33-18).
The Falcons held ownership of the games momentum for most of the first half, but the Spartans would take over that momentum late in the period. Big three point shots by senior guards Jessica Mason and Daniels cut the lead to just 10 in the closing minute of the first half. At the end of the first half the Falcons lead 40-30.
The Spartans owned the edge on the glass, out-rebounding the Falcons 20-16 in the first half.
Perry led the Spartans with 10 points while pulling down five rebounds. Senior forward Makeda Queen had nine rebounds and six points, while Daniels had five points and three assists.
The second half began with an emphasis on offense with both teams trading quick buckets, but the focus quickly moved toward the defensive end as both teams picked up the pressure. At the 15:00 minute mark the Falcons held a 51-37 lead on the Spartans.
The Falcons then went on 12- 2 run leaving them with a 63-39 lead with nine minutes left to play. The
Spartans would not back down and followed up the Falcons run with a run of their own. Seven unanswered points for the Spartans brought the score to 63-46 and the smallest lead of the game for the Falcons since midway through the first half.
The run would not last for the Spartans as the Falcons again found their shooting touch from outside knocking down a flurry of jump shots. With only three minutes remaining, the Falcons opened up a 27 point lead, their largest lead of the game with just under three minutes remaining seemingly closing the door on the Spartans.
The Spartans would close the gap in the final minutes, but the game ended as a 78-56 loss for the Spartans. On the game, the Spartans out rebounded the Falcons 40 to 34 and attempted nearly twice as many free throws (30 to 17). Perry finished with 12 points and eight rebounds while Queen had 11 rebounds and six points.
AU is now 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the NAC and are in action again on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 when they host Augustana College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.
