The Aurora University women's basketball team traveled to Lisle, Illinois to take on long-time rival Benedictine University on Tuesday night. A low scoring defensive battle ended with the Spartans falling 52-48.

AU fell behind early as Benedictine built an 8-0 lead early and the Spartans were held scoreless until the 14:35 mark when junior Bethany Dorrington drained a three to make the score 8-3 BU.

The three by Dorrington fueled a Spartan 8-0 that brought the game to an 8-8 tie with 10:29 on the game clock. Trailing by two (13-11) the Spartans then took off on a 7-0 to lead 18-13 with 4:45 to play in the first-half.

But the game of runs was not yet over as the Eagles finished the half on an 8-0 run to take a 21-18 halftime lead. Dorrington had half the AU points with nine in the opening half of play.

The first part of the second half saw the teams trade baskets and leads before BU took what would end up being the games final lead change at 31-30 with 13:36 to play. The home team would build a lead as big as six on several occasions but the Spartans would not lie down, cutting into the lead late.

With just over a minute to play, junior Shannon Koski hit a three to cut the lead to one at 49-48. But two turnovers and three made free-throws by BU was too much for the Spartans to overcome as they fell 52-48.

With the loss, AU is now 5-13 overall and 5-8 in the NACC. Next action for the Spartan women's basketball team comes on Saturday, January 24, 2015 when they host Milwaukee School of Engineering. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.