The Carthage College women's basketball team (5-0, 0-0 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin), ranked ninth in the pre-season "D3hoops.com" poll and ninth in the Nov. 23 Women's Basketball Coaches Association/USA Today/ESPN NCAA Division III poll, edged Loras College (2-3), 58-57, on Monday, Nov. 29 at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis.

In the first half, Carthage led from the opening tip, as the Lady Reds pulled away to a 12-point lead,  29-17, at 3:46 first period.  The Duhawks got it within eight points, 29-21, just before the break, but the Lady Reds led by 10 at the break, 31-21.  Second half?  Different story.  The game turned into a real battle. 

After Carthage took its biggest lead of the game at 13 points, 36-23, at 18:57, the Duhawks clawed their way back into the game, pecking away at Carthage's lead.  Loras finally tied the game, 50-50, at 5:18, capping a 27-14 comeback run.  The Lady Reds went back up by five, 57-52, at 2:46, but Loras scored five unanswered points to re-tie the game, 57-57, at 1:41.  Brittany Kent sank a three-pointer at 2:33 and connected on two free throws at 1:41.  With 15.6 seconds to go, Diana Jacklin made the first of two free throws but missed the second.  Loras got the ball up court and called a timeout with nine seconds.  Lindsey LaBadie missed a layup with four seconds to play.  Loras inbounded the ball but was unable to get a play off with three seconds on the clock for the final, 58-57 score.

Carthage shot just 33 percent (18-54), including just 25 percent (6-24) in the second half.  Loras shot 41 percent (20-49), including 54 percent (13-24) in the second period.  Carthage's Diana Jacklin (Jr., Berwyn, Ill./Morton West) had game-highs 17 points on six-of-15 field goals and 11 rebounds.  Kristi Schmidt (Fr., Bloomington, Ill./Normal-Community) came off the bench to score 10 points.  Brittany Kent topped the Duhawks with 12 points.  On Sunday, Dec. 5, the Lady Reds play host to Robert Morris University (Ill., 8-2) in a 2 p.m. game, also at Tarble Arena.