Box Score The Aurora University Spartan women's basketball team took on the Concordia Chicago Cougars Wednesday night in Thornton Gymnasium. Aurora was forced to foul late as time was expiring and Concordia made seven of eight free throws in the last minute to hold off the Spartans, 67-62.
Aurora jumped out to an early 9-2 lead to begin the game. But the visiting Cougars made five three-point field goals during an 18-3 run. This gave the visitors a 20-12 lead with 11:41 remaining in the first half.

Spartan sophomore guard Joree Green drained a three which capped off a 13-5 run by the Spartans that tied the game 25-25 with 5:40 left to play in the opening period.

Concordia broke the tie on another three point field goal just 10 seconds later. The Cougars furthered their lead in the remaining 5:30 to go into the half up 36-31.

Neely Marks, a freshman forward, led the Spartans in the half with 10 points and seven rebounds. She went three for six from the field and made all four of her free throw shots.

The Spartans fought hard to begin the second half and drew within two points three different times early
Just over four minutes later, a three pointer by junior guard Angela Smith gave the Spartans their first lead of the half. The three pointer made the score 50-49 with 8:48 still to play.

Concordia came back with a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to regain the lead 58-50 with 4:49 left.

Aurora stayed in the game and applied pressure to Concordia and the Spartans found themselves down by three after Marks made a layup with 1:12 remaining in regulation.

The Cougars were able to go seven for eight from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the game and fend off the Spartans. Concordia was victorious and the final score was 67-62.

Marks ended the game with a double-double, scoring 18 points and recording 10 rebounds, while Green had 16 points, going three for five from three point land.

Next action for the Spartan women's basketball team comes on Saturday, Feb. 18 when they host Maranatha Baptist Bible College in the Northern Athletics Conference North-South Challenge game. Game time is set for 2 pm in Thornton Gymnasium.