The Aurora University women's basketball team started out slowly in their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference contest with Marian University but after trailing in the first quarter, the Spartans exploded to take a halftime lead and then ran away with a 77-58 victory.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Aurora University 77; Marian University 58
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-14; 2-10 NACC; Marian University 3-13; 2-9 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The visiting Sabers scored the first five points of the game until Spartan Alyssa Brems hit a three-pointer to give the Spartans their first points at 5-3.
AU slow start on offense was countered by a hot shooting Marian team who shot four of six from three point range in the opening quarter.
At the end of the first, AU trailed 18-10.
Trailing by seven (20-13), the Spartans cut into the Sabers lead and with a three point field goal from Ally Van Bogaert with 4:34 left in the half only trailed 25-24.
Van Bogaert continued to lead the Spartans come back efforts, scoring 18 second quarter points. Her lay-up late in the half gave the Spartans their first lead of the game as they went into halftime leading 33-32.
Both teams came out in the second half looking to take charge but the teams traded baskets, leads and ties over the first five minutes.
With the game tied 40-40 with 4:24 to go, AU embarked on a 8-1 run giving them a 48-41 lead with 1:37 to play.
Led by 11 points from Alyssa Brems the Spartans led 50-45 after three quarters.
A three by Sami Hultine started the fourth quarter scoring and AU was rolling as they would out score Marian 27-13 in the final frame.
Spartans Adriana Ramirez had 15 fourth quarter points to lead AU.
The Spartans had seven assists in the fourth quarter to aid in the scoring avalanche.
Alyssa Brems sank the final two free throws of the game as AU went on to win 77-58.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
Alyssa Brems led the Spartans in scoring with 21 points and seven rebounds
Adriana Ramirez recorded a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds
Ally Van Bogaert scored 18 points, all in the second quarter.
Kourtney Speer had seven points and six assists.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Aylssa Brems (21)/ Ally Van Bogaert (18) and Adriana Ramirez (17)
REBOUNDS: Adriana Ramirez (12), Rachel Baumgartner (9) and Alyssa Brems (7)
ASSISTS: Kourtney Speer, Sami Hultine and Alex Hultine (6)
STEALS: Adriana Ramirez (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan women's basketball team comes on Tuesday, January 24 when they travel to Alverno College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.