The Aurora University Spartan women's basketball team set the school record for made free-throws by a team and Spartan sophomore set a new individual mark for free-throws made in an 82-71 victory over Benedictine University. Galauner also set a career high for points with her 39 and Meija Rabi added a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 82, Benedictine University 71
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 7-8 overall and 7-4 in the NACC; Benedictine University 13-3 overall and 9-2 in the NACC
BOX SCORE: View here

HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU jumped out to a 7-0 lead after a three in the corner from Julie Galauner 3:01 into the game.
- The AU lead quickly shrunk as BU pulled even at 9-9 with 4:03 remaining in the first quarter.
- The Spartans answered with a 5-0 run and led 14-9 on another Galauner three ball.
- With 2:05 remaining in the first quarter AU pulled ahead 17-14 after Galauner's third three-pointer of the night.
- AU ended the first quarter on a 5-0 run and led Benedictine University 22-16.
- The second quarter saw AU build the lead to nine at 27-18 on the fourth three from Galauner..
- With 7:04 remaining in the second quarter a mid range jumper from from Meija Rabi put AU up 29-21.
- A Benedictine 8-0 run saw AU's lead disappear and the score was tied 29-29 with 2:04 remaining in the first half.
- AU trailed the Eagles 32-31 at the end of the first half.
- The second half saw the Spartan's shooting go cold. With 6:25 remaining in the third quarter AU trailed 45-35.
- Trailing by seven (45-38) with 3:21 to play, the Spartans took advantage of multiple BU fouls and made nine straight free throws as part of an 11-0 run to regain the lead at 46-45 with 2:16 remaining in the third quarter.   
- AU finished the third quarter on a 17-3 run to lead 52-48. This included 13 made free throws in the final 3:21. 
- The fourth quarter started with AU scoring the first four points with an Eagles answering with four quick points. AU led 56-52 with 5:58 remaining in the game.
- AU continued to take advantage of BU fouls and after two free throws from Bailey Edwards the Spartans led 62-54 with 4:14 remaining in the game.
- Benedictine got the game to within three points after back-to-back three pointers with 3:07 left in the game.
- Two possessions later, with 2:09 remaining in the game, Julie Galauner heaved up a desperation shot from nearly half half court as the shot clock expired and banked it in to put the Spartans up 68-62. This was Galauner's fifth three of the game.
- AU continued to make free throws down the stretch, going 14-of-18 in the final 1:29 of the game.
- Behind the strong play of Galauner, Rabi and exceptional free-throw shooting, AU defeated Benedictine University 82-71.  

BEYOND THE BOX
- AU made a new school record for free-throws in a game with 41 made baskets. The Spartans went 41-of-49 on the night.
- Sophomore Julie Galauner set a new career mark with her 39 points.
- Galauner also set a new AU record with her 20 made free throws, she was 20-of-22.

TOP SPARTAN PERFORMERS
- Julie Galauner had a career-high 39 points, going 5-of-8 from three-point range and 20-of-22 from the free-throw line. 
- Meija Rabi had a double-double 26 points and 15 rebounds. 

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Julie Galauner (39) and Meija Rabi (26)
REBOUNDS: Meija Rabi (15) and Rachel Baumgartner (9)
ASSISTS: Rachel Baumgartner (3)
STEALS: Meija Rabi (5)
BLOCKS: Meija Rabi (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan women's basketball team comes on Saturday, January 19 when they host Lakeland University. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium.