The Candor

Issue date: 2/16/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Marcus Pass Lady Eagles walk off the court after a battle at the Rice Center on Wednesday Night.

Media Credit: Marcus Pass Tracey Walsh, Karyn Conerty and Monika Krozel each had a nice game against Concordia University Chicago.

Media Credit: Marcus Pass Lidia Arias played another efficient game for the Lady Eagles.

Benedictine University women's Basketball team, (13-10, 11-7), earned the number two seed for the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament after a hard fought, 81-69 win over Concordia University Chicago on Wednesday night.

The Eagles came out shooting in the first half as they knocked down 7-of-10 attempts from three-point range. Junior Karyn Conerty led the Eagles in the first half with five three-pointers.

BU went into the half with a 13 point lead over the cougars, 40-27. The Eagles shot 60.9 percent from the floor (14-23).

In the second half, Concordia Chicago came back by taking the lead, (43-42) for the first team after Katie Leitermann hit a three with 15:24 remaining.

The two teams traded leads over the next several minutes, until sophomore Tracey Walsh scored and led the Eagles to an 8-0 run. With 7:26 left to play, freshman Colleen Forkin hit a three-pointer to put Benedictine up 61-54.

The Cougars answered back with a pair of free throws by Melissa Schwab and a three-pointer from Marche Smith to cut the lead down to two (71-69) with 3:06 to play. The Lady Eagles rallied and closed the game out with a 10-0 run.

"We have been working very hard all season and it's great to end the regular season with a win," said Conerty. "We have been playing very well as a team and earning the second seed in the tournament is a great pay off."

Walsh led the Eagles with a season high 20 points and Senior Monika Krozel contributed 18 points and was a perfect 10 out of 10 at the free throw line. Conerty and Forkin both ended with 15 points for BU.

The Eagles have not lost on the new floor of the Rice Center, winning all eight home games. Benedictine closes the regular season tied for second in the South Division, but owns the tiebreaker with Alverno College by virtue of a season sweep.

The Eagles will open the NAC Tournament at home next Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.

"We have been playing very hard and have been playing has a team," said Head Coach Paul Nelson. "We have had different players step up each game and we will have to continue to play with confidence and support each other in the tournament."

Benedictine has won three straight games and will play in the NAC North/South Challenge on Saturday at home against Lakeland College at 2:00 p.m.

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