The Aurora University women's basketball team took to the road knowing that a win would secure an appearance in the upcoming Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. Led by a suffocating defensive effort and 30-points from sophomore guard Julie Galauner, AU defeated Milwaukee School of Engineering 56-32 and clinched the NACC Tournament appearance.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 56, Milwaukee School of Engineering 32
LOCATION: Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Kern Center
RECORDS: Aurora University 11-12 overall and 11-8 in the NACC; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12-12 overall and 10-9 in the NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU trailed 5-3 minutes into the game but a 14-0 run gave the Spartans a 17-5 lead with two minutes to play in the first quarter.
- A jumper from Julie Galauner just before the quarter ended gave the Spartans a 20-8 lead at the end of the first.
- Defense from the Spartans was the key in the second quarter. AU allowed just two points, none in the final 7:54 of the period.
- The Spartans led 31-14 going to halftime.
- MSOE tried chipping away but a four-point play (three and free throw) by Julie Galauner pushed the AU lead back to 20.
- After three quarters, AU led handily at 44-26.
- When Adriana Ramirez made a lay-up with 3:02 on the clock, the Spartans led by a game-high 24 at 56-32 which would be the final score.
- AU was victorious 56-32.

TOP SPARTAN PERFORMERS
- Julie Galauner had a game-high 30 points with eight rebounds.
- Adriana Ramirez had a game-high 11 rebounds.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Julie Galauner (30)
REBOUNDS: Adriana Ramirez (11)
ASSISTS: Bailie Edwards (3)
STEALS: Adriana Ramirez (2)
BLOCKS: Meija Rabi (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan women's basketball team comes on Saturday, February 16 when they travel to Concordia University Chicago. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. in River Forest, Illinois.