The Aurora University women's basketball team opened up a large first-half lead and held on in the second-half to defeat the visiting Eagles of Benedictine University 62-59.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 62, Benedictine University 59
LOCATION: Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois 
RECORDS: Aurora University 10-2 overall and 4-1 in the NACC ; Benedictine University 3-8 overall and 3-2 in the NACC


- The teams traded many leads in the first quarter before the Spartans got a Talia Bee three and jumper from Crystal Rios to lead 20-15 with 41 seconds left.
- AU took a 20-17 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
- The Spartans opened the second with three-balls raining down from the hands of Macy Kocen and Crystal Rios.
- A Selena Vargas bucket gave the Spartans their largest lead of 11 with 3:06 gone in the second.
- Gabrielle Wolff drained a three and a free-throw with 39 seconds to go to again lead by 11.
- AU led 35-26 going to halftime.
- Early in the third a lay-up from Rios put the Spartans up 12 at 44-32.
- The Spartans fought off every Benedictine rally attempt and after three quarters led 49-41.
- BU cut the Spartans lead to three (49-46) early in the fourth but the Spartans answered with an 8-0 run behind a pair of Kocen three's to lead 11 at 57-46.
- The visitors then responded with an 11-2 run and with 2:20 to go, the Spartans led by 2 at 59-57.
- Crystal Rios quieted the rally though with a three on the next possession to push the Spartans back up by five.
- The Spartans anchored down on defense in the final minute and would win 62-59.


Points: Crystal Rios (17), Macy Kocen (14) and Gabrielle Wolff (10)
Assists: Macy Kocen (4)
Rebounds: Selena Vargas (16)
Steals: Macy Kocen and Gabby Moore (3) 
 

Next action for the Spartan women's basketball team comes on Saturday, January 7 when they host Alverno College. Opening tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. at Thornton Gymnasium in Aurora, Illinois.