MILWAUKEE -- Alverno College snapped a three-game losing streak with a 72-57 Northern Athletics Conference victory over visiting Aurora University tonight at Reiman Gymnasium in Milwaukee.

"I thought our team responded well after coming off three games in a row that we were disappointed with the outcome," Alverno head coach Brad Duckworth said. "I thought we came out and played a very consistent 40 minutes tonight."

The Inferno improved to 2-5 overall and picked up their first conference win of the season (1-2 NAC). The loss drops the Spartans to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in NAC play.

Alverno extended their 32-31 halftime lead to as much as 21 points with 2:39 left to play before the Spartans ended the game on a 6-0 run--all from the free-throw line--for the final 15-point difference.

Aurora shot just 54 percent (14-of-26) from the charity stripe while Alverno shot 77 percent (24-of-31) from the free-throw line, tying the program record for most makes in a game.

Three Inferno players reached double-digits led by Gabby Allen's (Milwaukee/Bay View) 16 points, Alicia Kontowski's (South Milwaukee, Wis.) 15 and Shataya McComb's (Kingston, N.Y.) 12. Hannah Galstad (Holmen, Wis.) and Alyssa Jensen (Cudahy, Wis.) chipped in nine points apiece.

For the first time this season the Inferno won the battle of the boards as they out-rebounded the Spartans 52-40. McComb grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, Jensen a career-high 11 and Allen snagged eight.

"We had a heart-to-heart about how hard we need to rebound and how focused we need to be about rebounding," Duckworth said. "The team realized it's not about talent; it's effort, awareness, guts and going after the 50-50 balls. We did that tonight."

McComb also had game-highs with five steals and four assists.

Jen Robinson led the Spartans with 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting from the 3-point line.

The Inferno are next in action on Tuesday at Concordia University Wisconsin. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Mequon.

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