MILWAUKEE -- A three-point play by Alverno's Shataya McComb (Kingston, N.Y.) got the Inferno within three points of Edgewood with 1:23 left in regulation, but were unable to get any closer as the visiting Eagles came away with a 50-43 Northern Athletics Conference victory tonight in Reiman Gymnasium.
"I'm disappointed we lost," Alverno head coach Brad Duckworth said, "but our process was better. I'm proud of our effort tonight. I wish we would have won, but we'll get back after it and we'll continue to play good basketball."
The Inferno (5-9, 3-6 NAC) opened up the game in an 8-0 deficit before clawing their way back and taking the lead, 13-12, with 10 minutes left in the first half on an Alicia Kontowski (South Milwaukee, Wis.) layup.
But the Eagles (8-5, 6-1) closed the half on a 13-6 run for the 25-19 advantage at halftime, shooting 40 percent (10-of-25) from the floor compared to Alverno's 30 percent (8-of-27).
Alverno's poor shooting would continue in the second period and would finish the game at 30 percent (16-of-53), but the team's defense would also hold the Eagles to under 30 percent (8-of-27) in the final period and force 22 turnovers in the game.
Alverno tied the game at 27-27 at 12:11, but weren't able to take the lead away from Edgewood, who led by no more than six in the second half until the final 11 seconds.
Gabby Allen (Milwaukee/Bay View) led a trio of Inferno players in double-digits with 14 points. McComb added 13 and Kontowski added 12. The three also led Alverno on the glass with seven, nine and six rebounds.
Alyssa Jensen (Cudahy, Wis.) was the only other Inferno player to score in the game with four points on 1-of-6 shooting.
The Inferno shot under 70 percent (8-of-13) from the free-throw line for just the second time this season. Prior to tonight's game their 75 percent average from the charity stripe was No. 15 in the nation.
The Inferno have a week before their next game when they complete their nonconference schedule at Mount Mary on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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